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Edtech InsidersAuthor: Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell
At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. Youll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally. Language: en-us Genres: Education, News, Tech News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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John Gamba on What EdTech Needs to Get Right About AI, Scale, and Learning Outcomes at Catalyst @ Penn GSE
Friday, 23 January, 2026
Send us a textJohn Gamba is Entrepreneur in Residence at Catalyst @ Penn GSE, where he mentors education entrepreneurs and leads the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition. Over 17 years, the competition has awarded $2M to ventures that have gone on to raise more than $200M in follow-on funding, with a strong focus on equity and research-to-practice impact.The 2026 Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition is now open for applications. The application is simple and due by February 11. Apply here.đĄ 5 Things Youâll Learn in This EpisodeHow the Milken-Penn GSE Competition supports high-impact edtech foundersWhy research-to-practice is critical for scalable education innovationHow AI in education is moving from experimentation to institutional adoptionWhat it takes to center equity while building sustainable edtech businessesWhy learning outcomes matter more than funding or reach alone⨠Episode Highlights[00:02:15] The evolution of the Milken-Penn GSE Competition[00:09:26] From AI pilots to learning-science-driven implementation[00:13:35] Responsible AI and avoiding âAI junk foodâ in education[00:25:42] Keeping equity at the core of edtech innovation[00:29:44] Measuring real impact beyond capital raised[00:39:54] Why AI benchmarks and standards are the next frontier[00:44:36] How founders can engage with Catalyst and Catapultđ Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.đ Presenting Sponsor/s:Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollarsâbut most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreachâfast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. Thatâs how top edtech teams stay ahead.Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies. Frustrated by other M&A firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired, but couldnât find. One who understands what matters to founders, and whose northstar KPI is % of deals closed. If youâre thinking of selling your EdTech company or buying one, contact Tuck Advisors now! This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.
