On 21st October a new strategic body “Edtech UK” set up by The Education Foundation, launched at City Hall in London with an audience of over 150 top education, tech and policy leaders from across the UK and internationally. We also launched a major new report with the Mayor of London and London and Partners “Edtech: London Capital of Learning Technology” which sets out the size and scale of the UK and London’s edtech sector including a map of close to 100 edtech companies in the city. Photos from the event can be found here
Edtech is recognised as one of the fastest growing tech sectors across Britain, with more than 1,000 start-ups across the country and over 200 based in London . The sector is on a par with fintech as one of the fastest growing areas of the digital economy, accounting for 4% of all digital businesses.
London is uniquely placed to take advantage of the Edtech opportunity, with the recent Times Higher Education World University 2015 rankings revealing that London has more world class universities than any other city in the world (4 out of the top 30). The capital is also home to established EdTech companies such as Pearson, Knewton and Kaplan.
We are delighted to have the support and endorsement of leading figures:
Mayor of London Boris Johnson MP said: “London has all the ingredients to become the edtech capital of the world – a thriving technology sector, the city is globally recognised for education excellence and a leading financial centre. Londoners are also a highly diverse bunch from all over the world and are buzzing with ideas and a desire to learn. I have no doubt that Edtech UK will help drive forward this growing sector in the capital”
Lord Maude, Minister of State for Trade and Investment said: “Growing our EdTech offer is a priority for this government. It’s positive that Edtech UK is launching as both a strategic “front door” for industry, investment and government, and a convening voice for the education and learning technology sector. We recognise the importance of EdTech to ensure the UK is at the forefront of technology and innovation and to secure sustainable economic growth”