We are always seeking opportunities to showcase the outstanding work that has emerged from the Tools Competition and invite new changemakers into our community. This spring, we had the chance to do just that—twice! From Austin to San Diego, we connected with hundreds of educators, technologists, researchers, and funders through our participation at SXSW EDU and ASU+GSV.
Read on to explore some of the highlights from both events and how they reflect the continued growth of the Tools community.
SXSW EDU Booth
The Tools Competition established a presence at the SXSW EDU Expo with a booth that served as our hub for sharing information about the competition. Our booth aimed to showcase the remarkable work of past winners and encourage innovative educators to join our mission of transforming education through technology and learning science.
Visitors learned about how the competition works, asked questions, and received resources for applying. Since the competition launched in 2020, we have awarded $17.5 million to 130 winners from 120 countries. These innovations are reaching tens of millions of learners worldwide, and our community’s impact only continues to grow. The next competition cycle launches this September, and we’re excited to see what new ideas will emerge.
Past winners joined us at the booth to demo their tools and discuss their experiences with attendees. Their innovations represented all of our funding categories:
- Catalyst Prizes ($50K) for new ideas just getting started
- Growth Prizes ($150K) for products ready to expand
- Transform Prizes ($300K) for established tools already used by many people
Visitors met with creators of tools like:
- FIND-C (Growth Prize), an AI-powered video coaching tool that supports teachers by reinforcing their strengths in the classroom.
- Quandary (Transform Prize), a nonprofit online game that helps young learners build ethical decision-making skills.
- Mind Movers (Transform Prize), a mobile app that combines executive function measurement with digital games and interactive learning activities.
The winning tools showcased at SXSW EDU offered excellent examples of the diverse and innovative teams that have entered into the Tools Competition. Their success highlights the opportunities available for new applicants as the next competition cycle approaches.
SXSW EDU and ASU+GSV Happy Hours
The learning community got together at two happy hours co-hosted by the Tools Competition and the Walton Family Foundation, first at SXSW EDU in Austin, and then at ASU+GSV in San Diego. Both events drew over 100 attendees, bringing together sponsors, winners, researchers, and partners. The events were great opportunities for the expanding Tools community to connect and exchange updates on ongoing projects.
The events featured remarks from core sponsors Kumar Garg (Renaissance Philanthropy) and Michele Leardo (Walton Family Foundation), who welcomed attendees and reflected on the community’s growth over the past five years. In Austin, they were joined by Brooke McKean, co-CEO of REACH College & Career Pathways, which connects talented students with limited resources to companies and colleges. In San Diego, Claire Smith of Hilight described how her platform, which helps schools recognize the work of teachers and staff, has expanded since the Tools Competition gave them their first “yes.” Both Brooke and Claire discussed how the competition’s funding and national exposure accelerated their growth and reach, and how the Tools community continues to provide new opportunities.
We enjoyed engaging with so many members of our community and connecting with new faces at our events this year! Be sure to follow us on X (@ToolsCompete) to stay informed and register for updates.
