Redefining Learning: Insights from a Global EdTech Roundtable during the London EdTech Week 2025!

During London EdTech Week, the Redefining Learning Forum brought together a powerful mix of voices from across the education innovation landscape, including VCs, researchers, founders, impact organisations, accelerators and policy influencers. Hosted by DOHE, techUK, and Emerge VC, the roundtable was designed to go beyond surface-level trends and explore where EdTech truly needs to evolve next in the global context. The focus of discussion was on Unlocking Value: Conversations on the future of scalability and access to funding for EdTech startups  

Here are some of the key takeaways from those conversations: 

EdTech Is Bigger Than K-12 

A recurring message was clear: we must stop thinking of EdTech as a K-12-only space. Some of the greatest opportunities for innovation lie in adult education, language learning, and workforce upskilling. 

As one participant put it, “Don’t call yourself an EdTech company.” What matters isn’t the tech — it’s the problem you're solving in education, training, or lifelong learning. 

Validation and Evidence: What Counts? 

A key challenge is defining what “good” evidence looks like in EdTech. Many called for: 

Impact Matters — But So Does Business 

For founders seeking funding, a powerful mission is not enough. Even impact-focused investors expect: 

Policy, Funding, and Ecosystem Shaping 

There is an urgent need to better connect startups, accelerators, and policymakers. Ideas included: 

The Way Forward: From Talk to Action 

The roundtable made it clear: we need to move beyond discussing problems and start building shared solutions. 

Next steps may include: 

Mapping the existing EdTech support ecosystem and surfacing key gaps 

Sharing not just success stories, but failures — and what we learned from them to create awareness 

Creating open spaces for dialogue between funders, regulators, and innovators 

Rethinking assessment models — moving away from surveillance-style data collection toward meaningful, learner-centred metrics 

Final Thought 

The future of learning won't be defined by any one organisation, tool, or system — but by how well we collaborate, question assumptions, and build for impact together. The Redefining Learning Forum is just the beginning of that conversation.

List of Attending Organisations:

AGH University / 1000ideas | Bezos Academy | Bisk Ventures | BrightEye VC | Brunel University RIEm programme | Cambridge University, Digital Education Futures Initiative | CEO Here East | CET - The Center for Educational Technology | Cogniphant | Copper Wire Ventures | DOHE | EdTech Impact | Education Today | EDT & Partners | EDT Partners | Emerge Education and Director of Abbey DLD Colleges | European Edtech Alliance | Farrers & Co (Law firm) | G-SET | Independent Consultant | iSPACE | Miralo Education | Optima School | Ukraine EdTech Alliance | PwC/Strategy | Tamagawa Academy | TechUK | UCL and the Global EdTech Testbed Network | UCL EdTech Labs | Via Afrika | xEdu Accelerator | ZNOtes

The Redefining Learning Forum is a series of round table discussions designed to explore pressing challenges, emerging trends, and innovations in education, bringing together EdTech innovators, tech leaders, educators, researchers, funders, investors, and policymakers.