September 12, 2024 | 1-2 PM ET | Virtual
The Tools Competition is a multi-million dollar funding opportunity for edtech tools tackling the most pressing issues for learners worldwide and catalyzing learning science research at scale. The 2025 Tools Competition launched on September 12, 2024 with a virtual event marking the official start of the annual cycle.
Replay the Launch Event to hear from Tools Competition sponsors and leaders in the edtech space, learn about this cycle’s tracks that span K-12 to higher education, and discover what made previous winners successful.
Learn more about Phase I support resources for competitors here.
Join us for the 2023–24 Launch Event
The Tools Competition is a multi-million dollar competition for edtech tools tackling the most pressing issues for learners worldwide and catalyzing learning science research at scale. The 2025 Tools Competition will launch on September 12, 2024 with a virtual event marking the official start of the annual competition cycle. This year’s competition will award millions of dollars to the most innovative technologies supporting learners worldwide.
Join us for the 2023–24 Launch Event
The Tools Competition is a multi-million dollar competition for edtech tools tackling the most pressing issues for learners worldwide and catalyzing learning science research at scale. The 2025 Tools Competition will launch on September 12, 2024 with a virtual event marking the official start of the annual competition cycle. This year’s competition will award millions of dollars to the most innovative technologies supporting learners worldwide.

Agenda
Keynote Address
Jim Shelton, President and Chief Investment & Impact Officer, Blue Meridian Partners
Competition Overview
Kumar Garg, Schmidt Futures
Introduction to Competition Tracks
Featured Competition Partners
Winner Highlights
Speakers

Jim Shelton

Jim Shelton
President and Chief Investment & Impact Officer
Blue Meridian Partners

Marisa Bold
Development, Calbright College

Marisa Bold
VP of Sustainable Growth and District
Development, Calbright College

Kumar Garg

Kumar Garg
President
Renaissance Philanthropy

Heather Graham

Heather Graham
Director, Learning Differences
Oak Foundation

Dr. Lindsay Kuhn

Dr. Lindsay Kuhn
Founder & CEO
Wingspans

Ursula Lavrencic

Ursula Lavrencic
CEO
KOBI

Michele Leardo

Michele Leardo
Program Officer
Walton Family Foundation

Caitlin Mills

Caitlin Mills
Associate Professor
University of Minnesota

Julia Quinn
Griffin Catalyst and Citadel

Julia Quinn
Director of Philanthropy,
Griffin Catalyst and Citadel
Citadel

Philipp Schmidt

Philipp Schmidt
VP Technology Innovation
Axim Collaborative

Agustin Pardo Van Thienen

Agustin Pardo Van Thienen
CEO
Wumbox
Additional speaker announcements forthcoming

Jim Shelton
President and Chief Investment & Impact
Officer Blue Meridian Partners

Marisa Bold
VP of Sustainable Growth and District
Development, Calbright College

Kumar Garg
President
Renaissance Philanthropy

Heather Graham
Director, Learning Differences
Oak Foundation

Dr. Lindsay Kuhn
Founder & CEO
Wingspans

Ursula Lavrencic
CEO
KOBI

Michele Leardo
Program Officer
Walton Family Foundation

Caitlin Mills
Associate Professor
University of Minnesota

Julia Quinn
Director of Philanthropy, Griffin
Catalyst and Citadel
Citadel

Philipp Schmidt
VP Technology Innovation
Axim Collaborative

Agustin Pardo Van Thienen
CEO
Wumbox
More About the Tools Competition
In 2020, the Tools Competition first solicited individuals and organizations worldwide to fund ed tech tools and technologies to address pressing needs and opportunities in education and to build the field of learning engineering.
The competition has generated significant interest receiving over 4,600 proposals worldwide since its inception and funding over $17.5 million in prizes.
In the most recent 2024 cycle, following a multi-phase judging process, 50 winning teams composed of entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, and students from around the world were selected to receive over $8 million in funding and are anticipated to impact 24+ million learners worldwide by 2027. Learn about all winning teams here.
The competition invites participation from individuals and teams from all backgrounds and phases of development—from early stage ideas to established products. Join us for this year’s competition and bring your impactful idea to life!