The Education Startup Company of the Year category has been introduced to recognise the vital role that early-stage companies play in shaping the future of education across the UK. In a rapidly evolving sector, startups are often at the forefront of innovation—developing new technologies, products and services that respond directly to the changing needs of learners, educators, and institutions.

Judges will be looking for companies that address genuine challenges within schools, colleges, universities, or lifelong learning, and that can evidence early traction, user adoption, and positive outcomes.

CRITERIA

• Company overview and mission-Introduce the startup, when it was founded, and the educational problem it exists to solve.
• Clear value proposition -Explain what your product or service does and why it is meaningfully different from existing solutions.
• Innovation and originality-Highlight what is new or distinctive about your approach.
• Educational impact-Demonstrate how your startup improves learning outcomes, teaching effectiveness, access, or efficiency.
• Customer and learner feedback- Include testimonials, case studies, or satisfaction metrics from educators, learners, or institutions.