OCS Conference Funding Submission

Event Photo:

Image of the welcome event day 1

My EdTech NIIF team

Name: Maeve Holland

Degree Program: MPA IN PUBLIC & NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & POLICY

Specialization: PNP-Social Impact, Innovation & Investment

Conference Host Organization/Institution: StartED

Conference/Competition Name: EdTech Week

Conference Term: Fall Conference Start Date: 2024-10-08 Conference End Date: 2024-10-10

What were your takeaways from this conference/case competition?
My most notable takeaway from EdTech week is the breadth of conversation around not just technological advancements, but how to implement them to best benefit students. I was fascinated by how many panel discussions were focused on the pedagogy implications of technology implementation in the classroom. It is apparent there is far more to this space than innovation for innovation’s sake; founders and thought leaders alike are genuinely invested in creating tools to help students, and are wary of the negative affects missteps could have on classrooms.

How will your participation in this conference/case competition support your professional development?
Aside from the subject matter learning, this conference was a really great exercise in for professional development. I attended as many events as were available in the three-day span which gave me ample opportunity to practice my elevator pitch.

It was also highly helpful understanding how this industry is funded, and capital flows through the ecosystem. I feel like I can speak more confidently on this topic in the future and am literate on a whole new topic.

What are some next steps or action items this conference/case competition inspired?
There will be a number of follow up activities from this conference. The most important will be founder conversation networking. I applied for funding for this course because I am a member of the EdTech Deal Team for NIIF, NYU’s impact investing fund. I connected with multiple founders at panels and shark tank events this week that could be solid candidates for funding. I will need to set up meetings with them over the next few days.

What are some tips or best practices that you would like to share with other Wagner students who attend a conference/case competition?
- Review conference programming before it begins. RSVP to sessions with limited tickets, and make a schedule so you don’t miss sessions you find the most interesting. Once you are on site it is fun to wander around, and having a set schedule allows you to anchor your day around a few key events.

- Use conferences as opportunities to meet experts, ask them questions, and broaden your network.

- Conferences can be really fun! Especially when you have classmates who join and can share the experiences with. Encourage your friends to apply for funding and attend events with you.

Wagner Areas of Impact: Education, Nonprofits, Social Innovation