Panelist
XXX PANELIST Exploring the Vocational Technology Investment Landscape: What Can it Tell Us About Where the Future of Learning is Heading?
Date Thursday, Nov 24 Time – RoomCharlottenburg I
The session will offer participants insights into the market trends, technologies and approaches investors are seeing today and which how they may shape the future of learning.
Ufi Ventures is the investment arm of the Ufi VocTech Trust, a UK-based charity that champions the power of vocational technology to improve skills for work. We have built up a portfolio of investments in companies that are innovating to help shape a more accessible, tailored, effective and engaging learning environment that will benefit learners from a wide variety of backgrounds, learning needs, skill levels and industries.
Join us for a panel discussion to hear directly from vocational education investors about which innovations they have backed and why. We will cover a variety of topics relevant to founders, funders and those operating in the ecosystem, including what links the businesses securing equity funding, how they are transforming learning in the sector, the current trends in vocational technology venture capital and which areas have greatest potential and need for development.
Our experience shows that many more innovations and solutions are required to address learner and job seeker needs in this space and that the innovation in the sector shows no signs of slowing down.
Outcomes
- Explore what innovations have secured equity funding and the impact they are having on learners.
- Gain insight into what innovations hold the biggest potential for scale and future investment.
- Reflect upon what this means for learners, educators, and the future of vocational education.
Helen Gironi
Director of Ventures, Ufi Ventures, United Kingdom
Based in the UK, Helen is Director of Ufi Ventures, working with and investing in early-stage technology companies focused on the future of work and skills. Ufi Ventures back businesses developing innovative digital tools to positively transform vocational learning in the workplace, in formal education or learning the skills you need to secure or progress in work. Helen currently sits on the board of Learnerbly, Learning Labs and Data Literacy Academy, has been investing in early-stage ventures since 2002, and has focused on impact investing since 2016.
Links
Nick Kind
Managing Director, Tyton Partners
Nick Kind has worked in strategy, investment, corporate development and digital product management for over 20 years, with the vast majority of his time spent in the education sector. Until mid-2016, Nick was Head of Business Insights for one of the largest media organizations in the world, the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, where he managed a thought leadership, market intelligence and internal strategy consultancy team for the board. His work in learning has covered all age groups from “Pre-K to grey” and a wide range of geographies and contexts across the world.
Previously, Nick imagined, created and managed a series of high-profile and cutting-edge software development companies and projects in education markets across the globe, including co-founding a startup which raised £3m of venture capital in the 2000 “dot-com” boom and survived, executive producing major digital learning projects for the BBC, and putting the Complete Works online for the Arden Shakespeare.
Whenever possible, Nick undertakes projects which seek to create social impact as well as, or instead of, financial return. Nick has worked with investors, family offices, governments, businesses of all sizes, foundations, not-for-profits and charities.
Pro bono, Nick also advises the charities Big Change and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and serves on the advisory board of The Institute of Education’s EDUCATE project. He also acts as a mentor for NHS Clinical Entrepreneurs, and is very proud that he helped the genesis of Big Change’s Reimagining Education Together campaign.
Nick is based in the UK and also a husband & dad; and fan of the outdoors, good food, culture and the world’s diversity.