How COVID-19 Could Thin the EdTech Product Herd: Remote Possibilities

 

If anyone can help divine what happens next for EdTech, Mark Schneiderman can. As the industry’s chief policy advocate for 15 years, his analysis is important for both executives and educators. In this episode, Mark breaks down his recent provocative post, where he provides a 3-point framework for the future:

Topics include:

The COVID-19 Disruptor

First, it is important to understand the evolving environmental impact. The K12 edtech sector has experienced quite a journey over several decades. In recent years, we made the fundamental shift from asking “if” technology to instead a focus on “how.” In these last few but very long three months, we have lived years’ worth of emotions as we moved through the stages of concern, excitement, fear, and opportunity about education and technology in the age of COVID-19. As a result, we are now at the cusp of what could be a generational leap for the sector.

COVID-19 Impact on School (Technology) Budgets

I expect that increased demand for remote learning and edtech will be outweighed by the difficult equation of other increased COVID-related costs plus decreased revenues and tighter budgets. In this COVID-19 budget environment, schools will again be forced to achieve more with less. Technology budgets may grow marginally, but certainly not nearly in proportion to the shift to remote or hybrid learning might otherwise warrant or suggest.

The Opportunity and Necessity of Industry Maturity

As a result, I expect many of the (too) many edtech products will ultimately lose customers and revenue and prematurely exit the market. I’m concerned for my many industry friends and colleagues who have dedicated their careers to the mission of student success. But it is my hope and expectation that those surviving companies will grow and, more importantly, grow their impact.

Stay Tuned for a New Episode this Friday!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Microschool
With ESA Demand Outpacing Supply, How Can Utah Expand Microschool Access?
March 28, 2025

Across the country, education savings accounts (ESAs) are reshaping how families think about schooling—but in Utah, surging demand is outpacing available options. Last year, roughly 27,000 students applied for Utah’s ESA program, but only 10,000 scholarships were available. While parental interest in alternative education is booming, a new bottleneck is emerging: the supply of…

Read More
freight guards
Can a Single FreightGuard Review End Your Trucking Company? Sadly, Yes
March 27, 2025

As the freight industry grapples with the lingering impacts of a market downturn and rising digital vulnerabilities, a critical question has emerged: how can trucking companies defend their reputations in an era where a single online review can kill a business? In 2023 alone, over 88,000 trucking companies shuttered, and for many, the catalyst…

Read More
workforce in security
Where Security Meets People: Building a Better Industry Through Workforce and Inclusion
March 27, 2025

The security industry is facing a moment of transformation. Amid rapid technological shifts and workforce challenges, companies are realizing that talent — recruiting it, developing it, and retaining it — is now central to long-term success. At the same time, long-overdue conversations around inclusion, representation, and culture are gaining momentum across the sector. According to…

Read More
symmetry connect
The Hidden Power of Identity Management: How Symmetry Connect Is Reshaping Physical Security
March 27, 2025

As organizations face increasing pressure to streamline operations and secure access to sensitive facilities, identity management solutions are becoming a critical focus in the physical security space. While traditional access control handles the “how” of gaining entry, identity management tackles the “who” and “why” — automating the full lifecycle of identity onboarding, change requests, and…

Read More