Member Article

New body launched to promote London's £45bn edtech sector

The UK is set to capitalise on the growth in edtech (education technology) through a new strategic body to promote the sector, Edtech UK, launched in London today.

According to a new report by London & Partners and Edtech UK, the global education technology sector is worth £45bn in 2015 and poised to reach £129bn by 20201.

As one of the fastest growing tech sectors in the country, edtech plays host to 1,000 start-ups across the country and over 200 based in London2. The sector is on a par with fintech as one of the fastest growing areas of the digital economy, accounting for 4% of all digital businesses.

With the recent Times Higher Education World University 2015 rankings revealing that London has more world class universities than any other city in the world (4 out of the top 30), London is uniquely placed to take advantage of the Edtech opportunity. The capital is also home to established EdTech companies such as Pearson, Knewton and Kaplan.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson MP said: “London has all the ingredients to become the edtech capital of the world – a thriving technology sector, the city is globally recognised for education excellence and a leading financial centre. Londoners are also a highly diverse bunch from all over the world and are buzzing with ideas and a desire to learn. I have no doubt that Edtech UK will help drive forward this growing sector in the capital.”

Ian Fordham, CEO of EdTech UK added: “Edtech has come of age. The UK is home to some of the world’s leading schools, colleges, universities and education businesses. Edtech UK will be a pro-active organisation building and accelerating a vibrant education and learning technology sector and leading new developments with our founding partners. It will also be a front door to government, educators, companies and investors from Britain and globally”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .