Making virtual learning a reality

Now, more than ever, edtech is responsible for keeping children learning. And as global demand for virtual learning solutions soars, global investors are taking note.

It’s an understatement to say that edtech has been on the thick end of an upswing in investor interest. For evidence of growth just look to the combined total of global edtech investments in 2018 and 2019 – which were greater than those made to all edtech companies between 1998 and 2017. And, in the first quarter of 2020 alone, US$3 billion of edtech venture capital was raised globally – versus $35 billion in the last ten years.

Interestingly, however, in the past, edtech has generally been categorised as undercapitalised compared to other tech sectors such as healthcare, but that’s changing – and changing fast.

It’s estimated that as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, upwards of one billion people experienced some form of learning at home. The usefulness, importance and absolute necessity of robust, personalised and scalable edtech platforms has never been more obvious.

Abu Dhabi is not alone in its investment and support of edtech startups that can provide tailored digital education opportunities. As fast internet and mobile technology access grows in markets with latent demand for educational services, a variety of providers, from established large-scale tech companies through to startups providing region specific options, are developing accessible, low cost, open and flexible systems driven by artificial intelligence and augmented technologies.