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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.
Practical insight and peer connection for UK EdTech founders
Our year-round programme supports EdTech founders and business leaders with high-quality insight, peer learning, and practical tools, delivered through a streamlined mix of digital content, online forums, a flagship in-person event, and outcome-focused workshops. It’s designed to keep leaders ahead of fast-moving change (AI, policy, curriculum and market shifts) and built around real founder needs.
Members of the EdTech Exchange community get:
- Online Insight Publication: concise, founder-relevant briefings (AI, policy and what it means for growth)
- Twice Yearly Online Forums (free): peer discussion + regional breakout rooms (first forum 16 July 2026)
- Flagship in-person event hosted at London EdTech Week
- Practical Online Workshops: practical and out-come based activities for Edtech Founders (first workshop 8 October 2026)
- Edtech Founders Supper Club: intimate dinners where founders can discuss (Oct–Dec 2026)
By joining the EdTech Exchange community, you are making a commitment to improve outcomes for learners and educators through EdTech.
If you are already a member, why not tell someone else about EdTech Exchange and get them to sign-up as a member too. The more members the merrier, especially when it comes to our fantastic networking events.
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’ 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.
Example application letter:
I am writing on behalf of (Company) to apply to join EdTech Exchange.
Paragraph describing your job role, the company and sector.
Paragraph explaining what you are hoping to achieve by joining the EdTech Exchange.
Paragraph confirming that you agree to receive regular communications about upcoming events.
Yours sincerely,
Upcoming EdTech Exchange events
Ambassadors
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.
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.
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.
