The Tools Competition is pleased to announce the six winners selected from 290 submissions in the Enhancing Post-Secondary Learning track!
Gaps in post-secondary access and effectiveness continue to limit social and career mobility, especially for learners who are facing persistent systemic barriers. This track invited tools that advance learning and workforce alignment through improved content, stronger advising, and smarter institutional systems. By supporting learners in navigating their academic journeys and preparing for evolving career demands, these tools aim to improve learner outcomes and foster a more inclusive and competitive post-secondary system.
This track was run in partnership with Axim Collaborative and Calbright College.
“There is an urgent need for new solutions to open up the opportunities of quality education to all learners,” said Philipp Schmidt, Vice President of Technology Innovation at Axim Collaborative. “The Tools Competition is unique in that it attracts innovators who are passionate about tackling systemic barriers, and who take an evidence-based data-driven approach to technology innovation. That combination is rare and it’s one of the reasons we are so excited to partner with the competition and the winning teams whose work will help more students succeed.”
“Calbright College is committed to people-centered innovation and ensuring technology helps students achieve their education and career goals,” said Marisa Bold, Calbright’s Vice President of Sustainable Growth and District Development. “We’re thrilled to see these winning tools center the diverse needs of users, emphasize scalability to support more students, and ensure technology leads to measurable outcomes for students.”
Winning tools in this track enhance post-secondary learning by supporting more personalized student guidance, streamlining institutional processes, and connecting classroom experiences to real-world skills. By improving how learning is delivered, supported, and connected to long-term goals, these tools will help close gaps in access and achievement.
Winners of the Enhancing Post-Secondary Learning Track
Growth Level – $150,000 for products with some users and scale
- Lazuli | Learning Design Alliance | USA
Lazuli is a learning design tool that accelerates the creation of effective, research-based learning experiences. It supports the full instructional design cycle: learner and context analysis, competency analysis, content design, rapid development, and real-time learning analytics—enabling educators to design smarter and adapt faster.
- MyCoach AI: Empowering College Success at Scale | Beyond 12 | USA
MyCoach AI is a GenAI-powered, conversational coaching tool designed to support first-generation and historically underrepresented college students. Initially accessible via SMS, MyCoach AI addresses academic, personal, and logistical student challenges, escalating to a live coach when students need specialized support.
- Simulated Work-based Learning (SWBL) | CAST Inc. | USA
SWBL is an AI-powered work-based learning project authoring tool that ensures students can build and demonstrate skills that are defined and needed by industry. It is designed to allow educators and employers to engage a broader talent pool in work-based learning and to ensure career navigation is learner-centric.
- Sway | Disagree Wisely, Inc. | USA
Sway is a chat platform that helps college students engage with each other more constructively, especially across moral, social, and political divides. It uses AI to facilitate open, informed, and empathetic conversations, transforming disagreements into learning opportunities.
Transform Level – $300,000 for established platforms with 10,000 or more users
- CourseWise | Equivalence Systems | USA
CourseWise makes the higher education transfer system easier for students by helping to identify course equivalencies, manage articulation workflows, and improve credit acceptance and mobility at scale.
- MentorAI | MentorPRO | USA
MentorPRO is a research-backed mentoring platform that empowers organizations to deliver effective, scalable, and structured mentoring programs. MentorAI is an integrated AI-powered tool within MentorPRO that supports mentors in real time by offering tailored conversation suggestions, resources, and insights.
Learn more about the winners in all tracks here.
The Tools Competition is open to teams with tools at all stages of development and is run over three phases with support for teams to refine their ideas. Finalists pitched their tools before a panel of judges. View judges in this track here.
To date, the Tools Competition has named 150 winners from 48 countries over five cycles, who are currently reaching nearly 50 million learners and educators.
The Tools Competition is a program of Renaissance Philanthropy, organized by The Learning Agency, and made possible through the generous support of the Walton Family Foundation, Griffin Catalyst, Axim Collaborative, Oak Foundation, and Calbright College.
Join our mailing list to receive updates on the next competition cycle—launching in September 2025!
