OCS Conference Funding Submission

Event Photo:

Capped off the day at EdTech Week with Emily, discussing the new ideas we discovered shaping the future of education.

An inspiring conversation with NYC Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos and Colin Kaepernick on how AI can advance equity, empower students, and support teachers.

Spent a full day at the EdTech startup pitch competition, hearing from more than 40 ventures presenting innovative, inclusive, and scalable solutions for the future of education.

Name: Stephanie Intal

Degree Program: MPA IN PUBLIC & NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & POLICY

Specialization:

Conference Host Organization/Institution: StartEd

Conference/Competition Name: EdTech Week

Conference Term: Fall Conference Start Date: 2025-10-20 Conference End Date: 2025-10-22

What were your takeaways from this conference/case competition?
EdTech Week highlighted how quickly the education innovation landscape is evolving, particularly in accessibility, workforce readiness, and AI-driven learning tools. I gained a deeper understanding of how early-stage ventures are addressing learning gaps for underserved communities through technology that enhances, rather than replaces, human connection. The most effective companies used AI to strengthen collaboration, not as the centerpiece of their models. Hearing from founders and investors reinforced the importance of pairing capital with community knowledge and measurable outcomes.

How will your participation in this conference/case competition support your professional development?
Attending EdTech Week deepened my understanding of how innovation, investment, and public service can work together to advance educational equity. I connected with mission-driven founders, funders, and policy leaders addressing barriers in access and inclusion. These conversations strengthened my ability to assess early-stage ventures through a social impact lens and expanded my awareness of the capital landscape for education startups. The experience also directly supports my professional growth as our NIIF Education Deal Team will be pitching one of the companies we met at the conference.

What are some next steps or action items this conference/case competition inspired?
Following EdTech Week, our team identified a startup that we plan to bring forward to pitch for the NYU Impact Investing Fund’s Education Deal Team. We also began exploring potential partnerships with founders and investors who expressed interest in collaborating with NYU students on research, internships, or pilot programs. I plan to follow up with several of these connections to strengthen our venture pipeline and identify ways they can engage with the Wagner and SIIA communities.

What are some tips or best practices that you would like to share with other Wagner students who attend a conference/case competition?

Go in with a clear purpose and know which sessions or networking events align most closely with your goals. Prepare a short personal pitch about your Wagner focus and current projects to help start meaningful conversations. Take notes on key ideas and contacts that relate to your coursework or initiatives so you can follow up quickly afterward. Review the conference directory before attending to prioritize who you want to meet. Finally, treat the conference as a learning exchange rather than a transactional networking event.

Wagner Areas of Impact: Education, Government, Leadership, Social Innovation