The most successful EdTech businesses combine technological innovation with an understanding of the needs of learners. As part of the delivery of the Research Accelerator on the ERDF EDUCATE 2.0 Programme, we use our expertise in educational research to build capacity in EdTech companies so that they can develop evidence-informed products that have a measurable impact on learners.
Helping EdTech startups make an impact
The ERDF EDUCATE 2.0 Programme
The Educational Technology Exchange - EDUCATE 2.0 Programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which is delivered in a unique partnership between F6S, BESA, and EDUCATE Ventures Research Ltd.
The EDUCATE 2.0 Programme promotes excellence in the EdTech community by providing training and mentoring to support and promote the use of evidence-informed EdTech. Our research-focused accelerator, based on the Golden Triangle, bridges the gaps between EdTech designers and developers, researchers in education and EdTech, and users, to ensure that EdTech products live up to their promises.
Implement cutting-edge research methodologies into the design and development of EdTech
Leverage existing data and discover the best ways to capture more
Develop research proposals with expert mentors, practitioners, and industry icons
Since 2017, we have worked with 272 startups and some of the brightest and best innovators in the UK and globally. Our companies are at the cutting edge of technological advances in EdTech, and understand how to harness the power of emerging technologies, like AI, to serve the needs of their users. Entrepreneurs and innovators can be confident that access to reputable evidence will assist them in developing world-class products and services that are effective and commercially viable. Furthermore, our focus on “what works” and the importance of an evidence-base helps developers to conduct their own research into their designs and products, to communicate effectiveness and to help them shape its future development.
The Research Training User Journey
Day 1
(2-3 hours)
Introduction
Day 2
(2.5 hours)
Logic Model, part 1
Day 3
(2.5 hours)
Logic Model, part 2
Day 4
(2.5 hours)
Research approaches
Day 5
(2.5 hours)
Your research proposal
The User Journey will also:
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Provide live teaching and 1:1 mentoring from EDUCATE research mentors
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Give you access to exclusive Q&A's, workshops and supplementary online material
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Help you to create a Logic Model and develop a Research Proposal that works for your company
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Give you access to the EDUCATE Ventures Research online community, interact with a wide range of EdTech stakeholders
Applying:
In order to be eligible for the programme you must:
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Have your business registered in London, UK
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Explain why your product or service has educational merit
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Engage with research and a research mentor
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Not be undertaking in difficulty
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Conform to the following definition of an SME (Small to Medium Enterprise):
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less than 250 employees
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annual turnover less than €50m (approximately £43.2m); balance sheet less than €43m (approximately £37.2m)
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the business is less than 25% owned by entities not meeting these criteria
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Testimonials and
Research Outcomes
Demonstrating the value of the ERDF EDUCATE 2.0 Programme to EdTech startups and SMEs in the ecosystem, you can find below case studies from businesses that have undertaken our research training programme. Next to that, you can find research reports that have been conducted on the process and impact of a research training programme itself.
8 research studies and 1 thesis, for which a doctorate was awarded in 2020, were conducted on the EDUCATE Programme in it's initial 2017-2019 incarnation, and 4 of those studies have now been published.
Click below to find out more.