WHAT YOUR EDTECH PRODUCT NEEDS TO GET A GOLD STAR FROM EDUCATORS

For education technology entrepreneurs, things are looking up. On the heels of a four-year low in 2016, edtech investments are on a marked upswing, on pace to reach $1.4 billion by 2017’s end by PitchBook’s account.

Still, edtech investments are likely to fall short of the $1.5 billion high-water mark of 2015. Especially with the U.S. federal education budget likely to face cuts for 2018, entrepreneurs and investors alike are eyeing edtech with cautious optimism.

To be sure, 2017 has been a good year for edtech startups in certain niches. Introductory coding tool littleBits, for example, debuted a new kit this year to rave reviews and became the star of the year’s National Principal’s Conference.