Deadline: April 20, 2020
WISE is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative thinking, debate and purposeful action. WISE has established itself as a global reference in new approaches to education. Through both the biennial Summit and a range of ongoing programs WISE is promoting innovation and building the future of education through collaboration.
The thrust for constant innovation has long prevailed in sectors such as technology and healthcare, but education has generally lacked this approach in both policymaking and in the classroom. Moreover education is key to addressing the toughest challenges facing communities around the world today – poverty, conflict, inequality, unemployment, environmental sustainability and future challenges. But there is a widening gap between the education systems currently in place and those required to meet the needs of future generations.
WISE is a response to the necessity of revitalizing education and providing a global platform for the development of new ideas and solutions. Since 2009, WISE has evolved into a thriving global, multi-sectoral community, which continues to generate fruitful dialogue and productive partnerships. The WISE community is a network of education stakeholders – from students to decision-makers – from about 200 countries who share ideas and collaborate to seek creative solutions to solve challenges facing education.
Initiatives addressing education challenges through the use and/or design of technology in all sectors and regions are welcome to apply.
Initiatives in this particular field may tackle education challenges in early childhood education, K-12, higher education or the future of work.
Benefits for Edtech Founders:
A Community:
- By joining the WISE Accelerator, the selected founders will no longer build their edtech venture alone but rather as part of a global community of education stakeholders. Over the past ten years, WISE has built a global education community of edtech founders, investors, philanthropic organizations, Ministries of Education and educators.
Coaching & Mentorship:
- We know that scaling an edtech venture comes with its own challenges. We provide the selected ventures with a dedicated team of coaches with experience in education and education technology.
International Visibility:
- WISE convenes hundreds of education stakeholders from around the world during its flagship summit in Doha and at WISE regional forums. The selected ventures will participate at WISE international events as well as be featured on WISE digital platforms.
Eligibilities:
Applicants must meet the below requirements:
- An education technology venture established for at least one year;
- Existing beneficiaries or customers;
- A product beyond Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage
- Existing revenues;
- A dedicated team
How to apply:
All applicants must complete, in English, the official online application form fully.
- All applicants must submit a short 3 minutes video pitch by submitting a YouTube link. During the pitch, they must explain their edtech solution, the problem they are tackling, who their beneficiaries are, their traction so far and why they are applying for the WISE Accelerator.
- All applicants must provide a link to a product demo via a YouTube link or log-in information for the WISE team to assess the product developed by the applicant.
- The WISE team will invite shortlisted applicants to take part in an interview.
