As in many sectors, venture funding prospects for early-stage start-ups have been disrupted by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the effect that higher interest rates have on financial markets and investor appetite. Valuations are down, the cost of money is up and risk appetite is flexing with the uncertain times. Nevertheless, a sense of optimism prevailed at the Emerge Education Summit in May, hosted at one of its investee organisations, the London Interdisciplinary School. Edtech, it seems, is unbowed by the headwinds. Former president of the American Public University System, Dr Wally Boston, also reviewed the summit here.
In a conference largely directed at founders and funders, we were amongst a small number of sector-facing delegates, and we reflect here on the implications for higher education.
