The Swiss EdTech Collider is a collaborative hub for entrepreneurs dedicated to transforming education through technology. Offering co-working spaces, networking opportunities, and access to a supportive ecosystem, it plays a pivotal role in advancing digital education innovations in Switzerland.
The Swiss EdTech Collider, established in 2017, is Switzerland's first collaborative space dedicated to ambitious entrepreneurs aiming to tranform education and learning through tecnology. Located in the dynamic EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, it operates as a non-profit assotitaotion, providing both physical co-working spaces and a virtual platform for its members.
Vision and Mission
The Collider envisions Switzerland as a global leader in education technology. By bringing together startups, researchers, and industry experts, it aims to foster an ecosystem that supports the digital transformation of education and training across various sectors.
Services and Activities
- Co-Working Space: Modern, membership-based workspace located on the EPFL campus, in close proximity to digital learning sciences labs and experts.
- Peer-to-Peer Learning: Facilitates the exchange of expertise, knowledge, and best practices among members to drive digital transformation in education.
- Ecosystem Access: Connects members with EdTech experts, governmental entities, industry leaders, educational institutions, investors, SMEs, and large corporations.
- Events and Workshops: Organizes demo and pitch days, workshops, testbeds, pilot projects, and academic validation of innovations to promote digital transformation across industries.
- Collaborative Opportunities: Encourages interactions between members and potential clients to integrate innovative technologies into their organizations.
Swiss National EdTech Testbed Program
Launched in November 2022 with support from the Jacobs Foundation and the Gebert Rüf Foundation, this program aims to support the digital transformation in education by allowing schools to test and evaluate new digital tools in the classroom. The initiative fosters active exchange between teachers and EdTech startups, ensuring that technologies are effectively tailored to educational needs.
Partnerships and Supporters
The Swiss EdTech Collider collaborates with various organizations to enhance its impact, including:
- Supporters: Asuera Stiftung, Credit Suisse Foundation, EPFL, EPFL Innovation Park, Fondation de la CVCI, Fondation Henri Moser, Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Jacobs Foundation.
- Partner Organizations: BeLEARN, Bexio, CVCI, Digitalswitzerland, Ecole Moser, Educa, EEA, European EdTech Alliance, IMD Business School Lausanne, Innovaud, LEARN Center for Learning Sciences, Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich, Schulverlag plus AG, Swiss Accelerator Network SAN.
Membership
The Collider comprises a diverse range of EdTech startups specializing in various educational sectors, including early childhood education, compulsory schooling, vocational training, higher education, corporate learning, and lifelong learning. Members benefit from the collaborative environment, networking opportunities, and access to potential clients and partners.