Apply: WISE Accelerator for Education Technology Projects 2019

All for-profit and non-profit EdTech initiatives that use or link technology to their DNA are invited to apply.

About the Accelerator:

The WISE Accelerator supports innovative initiatives developing solutions in education technology with high potential for scalability and positive impact.

Each year, the selected initiatives join the one-year program, during which they benefit from tailor-made support to address challenges that hinder their growth and scaling up process. In addition, the WISE Accelerator assists the selected initiatives to connect with an international network of education stakeholders and create opportunities to share knowledge and find support among potential partners, donors, and investors during international events organized by WISE.

Finally, the selected initiatives will be matched with mentors who are experts in education, education technology and leaders in their field. Mentors will support the selected initiatives with advice, guidance, and connections to different education and business stakeholders.

The WISE Accelerator supports innovative EdTech initiatives that have a high potential for:

Scalability
Positive impact on 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 cover a wide range of activities. From the conception of apps and digital games to the creation of online platforms or the design of new curricula and pedagogies integrating technology.

Eligibility:

Ideal candidates for the WISE Accelerator must be existing EdTech initiatives at an early stage of development, with the following attributes:

Established for at least one year;
A growing number of beneficiaries or customers;
A record of activities with a product or service that has been implemented and beyond proof of concept;
Existing revenues;
A dedicated team, with an established physical space or office;
Deep knowledge of the market/educational context and of their beneficiaries’ or customers’ needs;
Motivation to develop further;
Understanding of the initiative’s current challenges.

Selection Criteria:

A Committee composed of leading experts in education and social entrepreneurship will support the WISE Accelerator team in the selection process.

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

The Team:
The WISE team will assess the team’s ability to execute and deliver on their vision
The Solution:
The WISE team will assess how well the solution developed by the initiative addresses the problem that the initiative aims to solve
The Innovation:
The WISE team will assess how innovative is the solution developed by the initiative in light of solutions developed worldwide in the EdTech sector
The educational impact:
The WISE team will assess the educational impact that the initiative may have as it scales up
The Market:
The WISE team will take into consideration the potential of the EdTech market where the initiative operates

Benefits:

The year-long program is designed to assess and meet the initiatives’ needs as fully and precisely as possible in order to bring them to the next stage of development and scale up.