XTC and UNICEF Announce the Winner of the UNICEF Edech Special Award
Meet Eduten the EdTech start-up with the potential to become a ‘Blue Unicorn’ that impacts the learning experiences of 100 million children
UNICEF and XTC announce Eduten as winner of 2022 UNICEF EdTech Award with special mention to CogniAble
Even before the pandemic more than half of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries were unable to read or comprehend a simple story. Now that figure is estimated to be as high as 70 per cent. This has been exacerbated by two years of school closures, making digital platforms a new classroom reality. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown children’s learning into an even sharper crisis, yet it has also created a systemic opportunity for reimagining how children learn.
Under this vision, UNICEF and XTC launched the 2022 the UNICEF EdTech Award with the goal to identify entrepreneurs across the globe who are working on game-changing digital learning solutions that show greatest potential to become “Blue Unicorns” – ventures that impact at least 100 million children’s learning experiences.
This year the UNICEF EdTech Award goes to Eduten: a gamified math learning platform from Finland that reaches a million teachers and students in more than 50 countries bringing scientifically proven improvement to learning results. With a content library of 200,000 math problems, Eduten’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine helps teachers tailor content to each student’s learning pace and is adaptable to many cultures, languages, and curricula.
“When looking at UNICEF’s rubric for assessing world-class digital learning solutions, Eduten stands out thanks to its researched based pedagogical approach for improving learning outcomes paired with high adaptability to curricula and accessibility through different type of devices. This makes it an incredible tool to reach children not only in different contexts but with different learning needs,” – Angeles Cortesi, EdTech Awards judge and Chief of Global Learning Innovation Hub, UNICEF Office of Innovation.
Young Sohn, Co-Founder, Extreme Tech Challenge, Founding Managing Partner, Walden Catalyst Ventures and Former Corporate President and Chief Strategy Officer of Samsung Electronics said, “XTC was created to empower the next wave of disruptive entrepreneurs seeking to address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are pleased to collaborate with UNICEF to highlight the impact of the data, AI and micro-device revolutions to greatly widen beneficial impacts on childhood education.“
Moreover, due to its potential and a ‘future-facing’ approach with technology, Cogniable from India was chosen for ‘Special Mention’ of the EdTech Award. Judges were highly impressed by its use of AI and machine learning for early detection and affordable intervention of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among children.
With a pool of 124 submissions from over 40 countries and a shortlist of 10 finalists representing Finland, Germany, India, Nigeria, South Korea, and Spain judges were highly impressed by the novel use of diverse technologies.
“The breath and richness of submissions from more than 40 countries shows the incredible force for good of digital learning to start paving new ways of reaching children, all children in their wonderful diversity. Tailored learning experiences that are impactful in terms of outcomes but fun and engaging, make learning a wonderful adventure for every child!” – Angeles Cortesi.
About UNICEF Office of Innovation
At UNICEF, innovative solutions take many forms: from tech innovation, including powerful tools like artificial intelligence and blockchains, to the frugal innovations that can easily be adopted, adapted and scaled up. With our presence across the world and in alignment with a wide range of partners, we have the footprint to ensure innovative solutions are designed and delivered with and for the generation of children today, but also set the pace of change possible for future generations of children.
For more information about UNICEF’s Global Office of Innovation visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .
About Extreme Tech Challenge
Extreme Tech Challenge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation whose mission is to empower startups creating new tech innovations to address global challenges. It is the world’s largest ecosystem and competition for purpose-driven technology inspired by the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Extreme Tech Challenge™ competition is supported by leading corporations, venture capital investors, foundations, policymakers, universities and tech conferences to give exceptional startups the potential for global visibility, the opportunity to raise capital, the ability to network with global leaders, and access to world-class mentorship to help them pioneer technological breakthroughs that address our most extreme global challenges. A complete list of XTC partners and how to join can be found at www.extremetechchallenge.org
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Contacts:
Extreme Tech Challenge: Victoria@extremetechchallenge.org
UNICEF: OOI_Comms_Team@unicef.org