The educational technology (or edtech) sector is rapidly expanding, encompassing all areas of education with a key focus on utilising technology to enhance and manage learning.
In the Valencian ecosystem, the edtech sector was one of the sectors with the highest startup activity in 2022, with a growth of 15.85% compared to the previous year. While it ranks 12th in terms of the number of startups registered in the Observatory at 3.75%, it has made notable progress in recent years, moving up two positions from its 14th place in 2021.
Entrepreneurs within the Valencian innovation ecosystem who are active in the edtech sector can expect steady growth in 2023, albeit at a slower pace. As Goiko Llobet, CEO of GrowPro Experience, pointed out, “2023 could be a significant year in the edtech sector as user behaviour trends continue to evolve.”. “The pandemic sparked a surge in online education platforms, and users quickly adopted this mode of learning. However, as we transition out of the pandemic, the growth of these platforms has decelerated, while other startups in the sector, including those focused on face-to-face and international education, have gained momentum”, he added.
Chaume Sánchez, CEO of GeeksHubs, shares this positive outlook on the growth trend of the sector. “I believe that the sector will continue to thrive, but it is essential to prioritise quality. At our coding school, we had to adapt to the online format, but edtech extends beyond that”, he explained.
In this sense, Clara Torrijos, founder and CEO of GoKoan, maintains that the sector will continue to grow, “but slowly” and sees the still scarce implementation of startups dedicated to edtech in the Valencian ecosystem as an opportunity to attract new companies. “This is an excellent time to create a new niche in the market. Valencia’s innovative ecosystem is among the fastest-growing in terms of percentage, and our universities are exceptional. It’s the perfect recipe to build a powerful hub”, she said.
Regarding the potential impact of the economic situation on the edtech sector’s development, Llobet anticipates that it will reinforce growth. “In difficult economic times, many individuals seek opportunities abroad to continue their education and improve their job prospects upon returning home”, he notes.
The CEO of GeeksHubs agrees that the current economic situation is driving demand for specialised tech skills. “As the job market becomes more competitive, individuals are seeking ways to enhance their skills and remain competitive”, he noted.
For Torrijos, these crises can prompt individuals to reevaluate their life choices, and “when one considers a change of life, training is usually a catalyst”, he pointed out.
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