As part of London EdTech Week 2025, techUK is co-hosting the fourth annual Startup Mini Summit. This is a half-day workshop designed for early-stage founders, investors, ecosystem builders, and growth companies across Europe.
The event is delivered in partnership with UCL EdTech Labs, the European EdTech Alliance, and the European Commission-supported EmpowerED project. More than 100 participants will take part in practical sessions, open conversations, and structured networking. The day will explore the conditions needed to scale EdTech companies with purpose and sustainability.
Themes across the sessions include:
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Policy support and evaluation frameworks
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Infrastructure and skills to enable innovation
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Smarter funding and investment pathways
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Evidence, data, and standards to support trust
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Knowledge exchange and peer learning
Attendees will also hear about the work of partner organisations in supporting emerging communities and collaborative initiatives.
Lunch will be available on arrival at 12:30. The event will begin promptly at 13:00 and will conclude with informal drinks from 17:00.
Agenda
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 12:30 – 13:00 | Registration and Light Lunch |
| 13:00 – 13:15 | Welcome and Partner Introductions |
| 13:15 – 13:30 | Keynote: EdTech Ecosystem Snapshot & EmpowerED Toolkit |
| 13:30 – 14:00 | Workshop: Clarifying Challenges – Building Blocks for Growth |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Panel: Capacity Building through Policy, Investment, and Partnerships |
| 14:30 – 14:50 | Fireside Chat: Smarter Funding for Sustainable Growth |
| 14:50 – 15:00 | Startup Snapshot: Female EdTech Fellowship Alumni |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Coffee & Networking |
| 15:30 – 15:40 | Keynote: Infrastructure and Skills for Collaboration |
| 15:40 – 15:50 | Startup Snapshot: Multi-Stakeholder Support for Growth |
| 15:50 – 16:05 | Keynote: Building Trust in EdTech Evaluation |
| 16:05 – 16:35 | Workshop: Support Mechanisms for Evidence and Innovation Environments |
| 16:35 – 16:50 | Closing Keynote |
| 16:50 – 17:00 | Closing Remarks |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Celebratory Drinks |
Austin Earl
Austin Earl
Austin leads techUK’s Education and EdTech programme, shaping strategies that support the digital transformation of schools, colleges, and universities. His work focuses on strengthening the UK’s education technology ecosystem, enhancing core technology foundations, and advancing the adoption of emerging technologies to improve educational outcomes.
Austin also chairs the EdTech Advisory Panel for AI in Education, contributing to national discussions on the future of EdTech, AI, and the UK's Education system.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07891 743 932
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/
Tracy Modha
Tracy Modha
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 02073312000
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83
Francesca Richiusa
Francesca Richiusa
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/
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