Startup Digest Education - Issue #119: Edtech funding and ways to increase tech adoption

Mumbai-based Eruditus, which works with top universities globally to offer more than 100 executive-level courses to students in over 80 nations, has raised $113 million in a new financing round as it looks to further scale its business to reach more learners. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is among those who participated in the round, which brings Eruditus’ to-date raise to more than $160 million.

The Equity Podcast discusses Owl Ventures raising huge new funds, Course Hero extending its Series B, Juni hitting $10 million ARR and raising about as much and Unacademy raising tons of cash from Vision Fund 2.

Education technology companies have raised more capital so far this year than in all of 2019 despite, or perhaps because of, the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Mergermarket analytics, at least 14 edtech companies raised over $569 million so far in 2020, more than all funds raised by the industry in calendar 2019. During that year, 15 edtech companies raised $480 million, the data show.

As another difficult academic year drives new online learning challenges that may require more technology to address, here are some tips on how to help members of your university embrace the tech they need for successful learning outcomes.

1. Show Why New Technology Will Benefit Everyone;

2. Focus on Improving Digital Literacy;

3. Make It Easy for Faculty and Staff to Transition to New Systems.