Finnish EdTech ecosystem overview
Whenever a new program starts at xEdu, I like to give an outline of the most important startup and edtech players in Finland. This time I thought, why not put it on paper and publish it for everyone to see? In this blog I will focus on the edtech ecosystem. It isn’t comprehensive, but these are the active players, communities and events that I believe an edtech startup should keep an eye on if they wish to thrive in Finland. Drop me a line at info@xedu.co if you think I forgot someone important, and I’ll be happy to include them in the list! Just remember the focus is on wider communities, and not on specific companies.
To start off, I wish to bring up the amazing sense of community that exists in the startup scene in Finland. According to a report by Global Startup Ecosystem, Helsinki was chosen number one in terms of its local connectedness (=sense of community). This is especially relevant in the edtech field. We've had incredible developments in the past years, with xEdu leading the initial stage. Various initiatives continue to be born out of the community, such as Edtech Finland and Edtech Meetups, as well as edtech startups grouping together in hubs like A Grid or Maria 01.
Let's now move on to an overview of the ecosystem.
Edtech ecosystem – Active players
As mentioned, xEdu has had an active role in developing and driving the edtech ecosystem since 2016. xEdu is Europe’s leading edtech accelerator, with more than 60 edtech startups in its portfolio. We strongly believe in the benefits of peer-support and mutual sparring among edtech founders, as it is not the easiest field to succeed in without help and support. For this reason, xEdu has not only been an accelerator but an active developer of the whole edtech ecosystem, including organizing the biggest edtech event in Finland, XcitED.
Earlier this year, the Edtech Finland association was founded with the goal to strengthen the conditions of doing business in learning and education. For example, by improving public tender practices, and by spreading user-driven co-creation.
Regarding cities, Espoo has been the most innovative and open to collaboration with new edtech solutions. Together with xEdu and edtech entrepreneurs, the city of Espoo was the first ever to implement a model for co-creation between edtech startups and schools (as well as kindergartens and upper secondary schools), called KYKY. The process was so successful –benefiting all participants, startups, teachers and students– that it inspired similar models in other Finnish cities, and even abroad.
Forum Virium Helsinki launched their model for Rapid Experimentations between edtech startups and Helsinki schools. While KYKY is open to any type of edtech solution, Forum Virium’s model is based on a school’s real needs, and only those startups that answer to a specific need can apply.
Starting this year, the City of Helsinki also launched the Easy Access Co-Development (EAC) model for co-creation between edtech startups and schools.
Education Finland is a governmental cluster programme supporting the best education providers in their growth on the international market. The programme is coordinated by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Even though it is not edtech-specific, it still has a lot of Finnish edtech startups as members.
Education Alliance Finland (former Kokoa) conducts impact evaluations based on global quality standard for learning solutions. EAF certificate is the best proof of quality of an edtech solution. They have the best expertise in evaluating the pedagogy in edtech and are super-active in this field.
Another Finnish company that focuses on pedagogy in edtech is EDvisor. They believe in Ed before Tech and look at edtech products from an educator's perspective. They help edtech startups in building a strong pedagogical base for the product.
The Oulu region has been active in promoting education innovations as well. Oulu University of Applied Sciences has been running EduLAB –a semester-based edtech incubator for university students. Last year they also launched the first in Europe Master’s programme in Education Entrepreneurship.
Oulu-based PINO Network has been set up to showcase the Northern innovations in education and to help regional companies and public organizations to widen their global reach. Similar to Education Finland, they have several edtech startups as members.
Edtech ecosystem – Events
I divide Finnish education events into two broad categories:
events targeting a Finnish audience
events targeting a Finnish and an international audience
The biggest fairs & conferences for education solution providers targeting a Finnish audience:
Educa (Helsinki, January)
ITK conference (Hämeenlinna, March)
Kohtio (Hämeenlinna, April)
SETT Finland (Helsinki, November)
Pro Rexi (Helsinki, November)
Those that target both a Finnish and an international audience:
Arctic Education Forum (Oulu, February)
Dare to Learn (Helsinki, September)
Helsinki Education Week (Helsinki, November)
XcitED (Helsinki, November)
Save for XcitED, all the events mentioned are not edtech-specific, but have edtech startups participating in one way or another. XcitED, on the other hand, focuses exclusively on edtech, bringing together startups, investors, experts and policymakers to discuss the state and future of education technology, and the role of startups in it. By the way, the next XcitED event is upon us (November 20th) and tickets are on sale! 😉
I would mention separately Open Edtech Meetups, which consist of monthly events that spring from the community itself. They are meant for educators, trainers and the edtech business. The goal is to share experience, ideas, questions, and challenges. On a good session (that's every time!) you walk away with new insights and tools on how to succeed in the edtech world.
Edtech ecosystem – Investments
It is often debated whether edtech startups should approach generalist investors or education-focused investors. I personally think that in this field, the industry-specific investor route is the way to go, because they will understand you better, like no other industry-agnostic investor ever will. 😉
Unfortunately, Europe has been lagging in investments in the education field, and everyone involved is working hard on improving this situation. Let’s see who’s been focusing on investing in education in Finland.
Courage Ventures Fund has made investments in early-stage Finnish and Nordic startups using digital technology to advance global human well-being in the fields of education, health and the environment.
Finnish Polkuni has invested in several education startups as well.
Finnish Business Angels Network FiBAN has several education-focused angels, as well as those focusing on impact ventures in general.
EduImpact Fund promises to be the first edtech-focused impact fund in the Nordics. It is in its fundraising phase at the moment, but when it’s ready, we believe they will answer to the huge need for growth capital for European and especially Nordic edtech ventures.
Edtech ecosystem – Online hubs and channels
I’ve been preaching about the importance of an active edtech community in Finland, and now it seems the vibe is spreading fast in the Nordics too! These are some of the online hubs and resources every Nordic startup should know about:
Nordic Edtech Forum N8 was established to enable founders of the edtech companies to share, collaborate and support each other.
Nordic Edtech News is a fortnightly, free round-up of the latest industry news and updates from across the Nordic and Baltic EdTech ecosystems.
Nordic Edtech Alliance is made up of public and private organizations working together to promote Nordic excellence in the global Edtech industry. Among other activities they organize Nordic Edtech Awards.
Online hubs and channels in Finnish:
Koulutusviennin iltakoulu (Education exports Night School) is an informal Facebook group for those working in the education sector and education exports.
Tieto-ja viestintätekniikka opetuksessa/ICT in Education is another Facebook group for teachers discussing issues related to ICT in education. I believe edtech startups can learn a lot about the teacher’s everyday life and struggles with ICT.
Digikilta is another great network for developing digital solutions for education.
Education is always evolving, and to collaborate is to achieve better and more impactful results. Let’s stay #StrongerTogether!
