EdTech Exchange

Connecting the world’s education technology entrepreneur community

Welcome to EdTech Exchange, a vibrant community of EdTech founders and others working in the education sector.

The community houses a wealth of talent and original thinkers from the UK and overseas, with opportunities to meet in person and online, explore and potentially create new opportunities and ways of growing, discuss current challenges, work out the solutions and learn from each other, and sometimes, to simply catch up and wind down with old friends and new.

How to get involved

Joining EdTech Exchange is free and you will need to be a founder, co-founder or part of your company’s senior management team. Ideally, you will have a proven track record of selling to schools and/or higher education or lifelong learning environments.  

Step 1) Click ‘Apply to join EdTech Exchange’ and login to the Portal.

If you need help navigating the portal have a look at the Portal Manual or get in touch with us at eventsteam@besa.org.uk.

Step 2) Send in your application letter stating that you want to join the group  using the example application letter as a guide.  

Step 3) You will be emailed if your application is successful.

Upcoming EdTech Exchange events

Midlands – Stuart Reece, CEO, Derventio Education

Stuart Reece has spent nearly 40 years working in education software, beginning his career as a YTS apprentice and progressing to become CEO of Derventio Education, a leading UK EdTech company supporting schools and academy trusts.

Throughout his career, Stuart has worked closely with schools, governors and trust leaders, developing systems that support compliance, safeguarding, staff development and school improvement. He is also actively involved in school governance, serving as Chair of Governors at Derby Pride Academy, where he supports strategic leadership and educational development.

Stuart is particularly passionate about professional development and performance management in education through SchooliP, Derventio Education’s flagship platform used by schools and trusts to support appraisal, CPD, strategic planning and school improvement. His work focuses on helping education leaders build stronger cultures of accountability, growth and continuous improvement across their organisations.

East England – Kat Cauchi, Community Engagement Manager, NetSupport

Kat is the community engagement manager at NetSupport, the editor of R.I.S.E. Magazine and the host of the Her Tech Life podcast. Kat is a 2023 We Are Tech Women #TechWomen100 award winner and a Nexus Education 2022 Classroom and Curriculum Improvement award winner. She is a member of the Global Equality Collective, an Innovate Her ambassador and a Technocamps Girls in STEM role model.

Kat is passionate about closing gaps and creating inclusive communities where everyone can thrive, which is why she is a proud to be the Chair of the WESN. As a woman working in a tech company, she is particularly passionate about closing the gender gap in STEM.

Southwest England – Matthew Koster-Marcon, CEO, Learning Ladders Education

Matt is the Founding CEO of Learning Ladders Education, an award-winning EdTech platform that improves school assessment data management and parental involvement in learning for International Schools across Early Years, Primary and Lower Secondary. He is a former teacher, education author, speaker, Trustee at the charity School Home Support, and is also Chair of Governors at his local school. Matt has been a member of the Executive Council since 2017, and served as Chair of the EdTech Special Interest Group for 5 years. He was voted by BESA members to be Vice Chair in 2024.

Northwest England & North Wales – Dawn Taylor, Founder and Director, Challenge Innovate Grow

Dawn Taylor is a recognised voice on AI in education and an EdTech advisor working at the intersection of pedagogy, assessment, and technology. With a background in school leadership, she brings a rare dual perspective—understanding both the realities of classrooms and the strategic demands of edtech development. 

She works with schools, trusts, and international organisations to navigate the profound shifts AI is bringing to teaching and learning, with a focus on governance, assessment, and protecting the integrity of the learning process. In parallel, she advises edtech companies on product design, pedagogical alignment, and go-to-market strategy, ensuring their solutions are credible, effective, and aligned with how learning actually happens. 

Her work bridges the gap between education and technology—translating classroom needs into product insight, and product capability into meaningful educational impact. 

What is the portal for?