BESA x Bett: Empowering EdTech Innovators 2026 Hosted by Cooley and EDT & Partners

Events

When

Wednesday, 17 June 1:30pm - 6:00pm

Where

Price

Free to attend

Join us for this afternoon event during London EdTech Week, bringing together leading investors, successful start-up founders, and industry experts to explore the future of educational technology.

Hosted in collaboration with BESA and Bett and generously supported by Cooley and EDT & Partners, this session is designed to support entrepreneurs and founders on BESA’s Launchpad programme, while also welcoming anyone in the EdTech community seeking insight, advice, and valuable networking opportunities.

Throughout the afternoon, participants will gain:

Perspectives on current investment trends in EdTech
First-hand success stories from high-growth start-ups
Practical guidance from experts shaping the sector
Opportunities to connect with peers, investors, and industry leaders

As the trade association that represents the entire UK education supplier sector, BESA is committed to helping new and emerging companies thrive within the education sector, ensuring they have the resources, connections, and support needed for long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

Insights into Investment Opportunities: Learn from seasoned investors about current trends and opportunities in education.
Success Stories from Start-ups: Gain inspiration and practical advice from successful start-up founders who have navigated challenges in the education space.
Understanding Sector Challenges: Explore the significant challenges and changes influencing the education industry today.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, potential investors, and like-minded professionals during dedicated networking sessions and over drinks.

Speakers

Caroline Allams, Co-Founder, Educationalist & Chief of Product, Natterhub

Caroline Allams is co-founder of Natterhub, and an experienced educator with over 15 years in school leadership. She created Natterhub, a multi award-winning digital literacy platform now used in over 15K schools across 80+ countries, supporting children to develop the skills needed to navigate the online world safely and confidently. Caroline is a leading voice in digital wellbeing, innovative pedagogy, and early intervention. A recipient of the Bett Award for Transformational Impact and named a Woman to Watch in Education, she regularly contributes to BBC News, BBC Radio, and Westminster Education Forum. Natterhub was acquired in November 2024.

Laurie Forcier, Vice President, Strategy, EDT & Partners

Laurie Forcier is Vice President for Strategy at EDT&Partners and a senior education expert specialising in evidence, evaluation, and strategy and communications in EdTech. Her career spans organisations including the Urban Institute, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Pearson, alongside leadership roles supporting education and technology organisations. Laurie believes evidence matters most when it is clearly expressed, grounded in real educational contexts, and helps people understand change, make better decisions, and improve outcomes for learners. She works with organisations to communicate complex ideas with clarity and has written and spoken internationally on evidence in EdTech, AI in education, and system-level change.

Dr Melody Lang, Founding Partner, MPA Capital

Dr Melody Lang is Founding Partner at MPA Capital, an investment firm backing bold solutions at the intersection of Learning, Talent, and Work. A former EdTech operator and founder, Melody brings deep industry insight and a strategic investor lens to the companies she backs — having scaled ventures from idea to international reach.

She is also Co-Founder of Mindstone, a learning platform that helps professionals and teams develop practical AI skills to drive real-world impact in their work. Previously, she was a VC investor at Salica Investments (formerly known as Hambro Perks) and led European partnerships at Knewton, the global pioneer in adaptive learning technology.

Melody began her career as an engineer and research scientist, with roles in marine and then aerospace engineering at QinetiQ. She holds a Master’s in Mathematics from UPMC Paris VI and an Engineering Doctorate from the University of Bristol and Imperial College London.

Peter Doyle, Head of Policy & Research, BESA

Peter represents the interests of BESA members to parliamentarians and officials across Government departments, working on various policy issues across the association. His passion for the education sector developed while working for a BESA member, where he contributed to the development and implementation of EdTech products and curricula for the Primary Sector. In addition to his professional work, Peter volunteers as a Governor at a federation of local primary schools in East London.

Agenda

1:30pm
Arrivals, coffee and tea

2:00pm
Welcome address

2:10pm
Session 1: In conversation with Bett UK Event Director and Co-founder of Natterhub
Michaela Fearon, Event Director, Bett UK
Caroline Allams, Co-founder, Educationalist & Chief of Product, Natterhub

2:45pm
EdTech Evidence Panel
Laurie Forcier, Vice President, Strategy, EDT & Partners

3:30pm
Coffee Break

3:45pm
Session 3: Opportunities for EdTech in the UK: An Overview of Policy & Research EdTech Evidence
Peter Doyle, Head of Policy & Research, BESA

4:15pm
Session 4: Investment Insights Panel Discussion
Dr Melody Lang, Founding Partner, MPA Capital
Victoria Throen Longhi, Investment Associate, Owl Ventures

4:45pm
Closing Remarks

5:00pm
Networking Drinks

6:30pm
Event Close

Sponsors & Supporters

Bett UK is back 20-22 January 2027 and set to be bolder than ever. Join 35,000+ trailblazers from across the globe, from visionary educators and EdTech pioneers to policy powerhouses, charities and over 3,000 bright young minds. With 400+ world-class speakers and the energy of our global education community all under one roof, join us as we continue to drive better education globally.

If you’re a BESA Member planning to exhibit at Bett next year, make sure to utilise the 5% discount on stand prices available exclusively as part of your membership when booking your space on uk.bettshow.com.

Cooley combines 30+ years of experience in the education industry with an unmatched background in technology and software to assist edtech companies in bringing disruptive technology to market. With the largest practice serving this rapidly evolving sector, we offer our clients deep substantive knowledge of all aspects of the education sector coupled with premier business and litigation practices. We focus on the distinct needs of high-growth companies developing leading educational tools, resources and products and the universities and institutions that leverage these technologies.

EDT&Partners is a global education and technology consulting firm committed to transforming the education ecosystem through purposeful technology, strategic expertise, and hands-on execution.

We work closely with universities, schools, governments, publishers, and EdTech companies, embracing global collaboration and a human-centered approach to drive meaningful impact.

With senior leaders directly involved in every project, we don’t just provide consulting services — we deliver actionable strategies that empower organizations to build their own futures, thrive in an ever-evolving education landscape, and achieve lasting results.