Technology and innovation hothouse at Bett 2015
Futures, a new platform to nurture innovative education technology start-up companies is announced by Bett, the world’s leading education technology event, run in association with leading education think-tank, the Education Foundation.
The project, which is supported by non-profit associations such as the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), the founders of Bett, aims to showcase budding businesses that promise to have a significant impact on education. Following a call for entries, a panel of educators will select the 30 new businesses with the solutions that will have the most impact in education. The 30 selected ed-tech businesses will benefit from a choice of two bespoke packages based on their market status, involvement in a range of Bett fringe events, specialist business support and extensive marketing resources. The new zone will then take centre stage at Bett, which attracts over 40,000 educators, ministers and education stakeholders.
Debbie French, portfolio director of Bett, said: “Nurturing ed-tech businesses is a natural move for Bett; since its inception in 1985, the show has been a launchpad for the best education technology, and over the years we’ve seen nascent companies develop into major market players with the support of the Bett community that has developed alongside them. Showcasing the next generation of innovators by promoting the best of what the worldwide education technology industry has to offer is something that we’re proud to do, not just in support of the education community but in support of the technology industry as a whole.”
Ty Goddard and Ian Fordham, co-founders of the Education Foundation, said: We’re very pleased to be working in partnership with Bett on a venture to support dynamic new businesses and startups working in the education technology arena. Our aim is to support teacher entrepreneurs and startups and helping to build the UK’s edtech startup ecosystem. We know this will be a great chance to showcase new and innovative ideas in this growing sector”
There will be two packages available for start-ups to choose from based on their market status. The ‘Seed’ level package (£945) offers emerging start-ups a custom-designed table-top presence in Futures, along with a designated slot to participate in a teacher led development session live on stage. The ‘Grow’ package (£1745) is designed for businesses that are already gaining exposure and developing their networks. The package includes a larger custom-designed presence, participation in an innovation showcase live on stage and a digital ‘elevator pitch’ feature on the Bett website which receives over 420,000 visits in the months prior to Bett.
Each year Bett brings together over 40,000 educators from 120 countries as well as 700 leading education companies, the largest collection of free continuing professional development (CPD) seminars, hands-on interactive demos, free guidance and advice and the future-focused Bett Arena with headline guests. To find out more, visit www.bettshow.com.
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Notes for Editors
About Bett 2015:
Over its thirty years, Bett has evolved into the world’s largest technology in education event. With more than 40,000 visitors and over 700 exhibitors, it continues to inspire learning excellence worldwide. Bett 2015 will run over four days from Wednesday 21 to Saturday 24 January at ExCeL, London.
About i2i Events Group
i2i Events Group delivers world-class exhibitions, large scale events and festivals in key sectors including home and gift, fashion, retail, healthcare, energy, environment, education, technology, media and creative. Its portfolio of world-wide events includes World Retail Congress, Spring Fair, Naidex, BVE, Bett and Pure London. It prides itself on opening up possibilities for its customers and each year brings more than 250,000 decision makers together to network, source, test, buy and sell brilliant products, services, ideas and solutions. i2i Events Group is headed up by Mark Shashoua who joined EMAP as Group MD of EMAP Connect in November 2011 and became CEO of i2i Events Group in March 2012. i2i Events is powered by Top Right Group, formerly known as EMAP International Ltd. www.i2ieventsgroup.com.
About the Education Foundation
The Education Foundation is the UKs first cross sector education think tank with a focus on education reform, technology and innovation. Set up in 2011 by Ian Fordham and Ty Goddard with high level cross party support, it has established itself as a leading organisation in the future of education and learning including running major projects and collaborations with some of the worlds top companies including Google, Skype, McKinsey and Facebook and in 2014 writing a landmark report on the future of technology and running Britain’s first Education Reform Summit in partnership with the Department for Education. For more information visit www.ednfoundation.org.
About BESA
BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the trade association representing over 300 educational suppliers in the UK, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital-content related services to the education market.
With 78 years of experience, BESA offers unparalleled support, research, events and advice on both UK and International markets, and the future of the education supplies industry. BESA is focused on promoting and providing support and advice to their members, the industry and to schools.
BESA has a Code of Practice to which all members must adhere, along with a stringent membership process, both of which assure buyers of a high standard of quality in both product and customer service.
For information from BESA contact:
Caroline Wright
BESA
T: 020 7537 4997 E: caroline@besa.org.uk
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