The 2026 Tools Competition is live! Register for drop-in Office Hours on October 7, 9, and 13.

The Tools Competition is a multi-million dollar prize challenge for ed tech tools tackling the most pressing issues for learners worldwide and catalyzing learning science research at scale

 The 2026 Tools Competition launched on September 8, 2025, 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 ed tech space, learn about this cycle’s tracks, and discover what made previous winners successful.

Learn more about Phase I support resources for competitors here.

Agenda

Special Guest Remarks

Hear special guest remarks on the evolving education landscape and the role of technology in driving impact.

Inside the Tools Competition: Vision, Design, and Impact

A look at the competition’s history, its impact on the field, and what’s ahead for 2026.

Spotlight on Competition Priorities: Track Introductions & Calls to Action

Hear directly from sponsors and partners shaping this year’s tracks and learn how you can submit a competitive proposal.

Tools in Action: Highlights from Past Winners

Real-world examples of innovation at work. Learn how past winners are improving outcomes for learners worldwide.

Speakers

Deborah Quazzo

Co-founder of the ASU+GSV Summit
and the Managing Partner of GSV Ventures

Dr. Lindsay Kuhn

Founder & CEO
Wingspans

Ursula Lavrencic

CEO
KOBI

Michele Leardo

Program Officer
Walton Family Foundation

Kumar Garg

Kumar Garg

President
Renaissance Philanthropy

Michele Leardo

Program Officer
Walton Family Foundation

Heather Graham

Director, Learning Differences
Oak Foundation

Philipp Schmidt

VP Technology Innovation
Axim Collaborative

Julie Delich

VP AI Strategy - Interactions
Mainstay

Samson Wambuzi

Co-founder and CIO
Yiya Solutions

Caitlin Mills

Associate Professor
University of Minnesota

More About the Tools Competition

Since 2020, the Tools Competition has awarded over $20 million to 150 winning teams, representing established and emerging global talent, and has surfaced more than 5,600 proposals from innovators around the world. It is the leading global ed tech competition grounded in learning engineering and a commitment to building open infrastructure to accelerate education research and development.

Competition winners now reach nearly 50 million learners and educators worldwide, accelerating educational outcomes from early childhood to adulthood and contributing research insights and resources. 

The competition invites participation from individuals and teams from all backgrounds and phases of development—from early-stage ideas to established products.