2023 Australia & New Zealand EdTech 50

The Australia & New Zealand EdTech 50 is HolonIQ's annual list of the most promising EdTech startups from the region.

The Australia & New Zealand EdTech 50 is focused on identifying fast growing and innovative learning, teaching and up-skilling startups from Australia & New Zealand. Powered by data and insights from the HolonIQ Impact Intelligence Platform together with qualitative assessments by HolonIQ’s Intelligence Unit, and local market experts in each region, organizations are evaluated and scored based on our eligibility and assessment criteria.

This year’s list sees a more mature cohort as earlier stage startups struggle in a tight funding environment. B2B models dominate with digital learning infrastructure maintaining strength as incumbents seek to service the learner lifecycle as a trusted partner to institutions. K12 STEAM solutions see growth in this year’s list including XR solutions, with renewed focus on the learner experience.

Exhibit 1

The Australia & New Zealand EdTech 50 is aligned to the Global Learning Landscape, an Open-Source Taxonomy that maps the education and talent market

Exhibit 2

As in previous years the Australia & New Zealand market sees a balanced and maturing cohort of successful EdTech startups. With a strong focus on servicing the (relatively) digitized education sector, startups such as Orah, EdSmart and Classe365 support school administration and communication, while Komodo helps to support student wellbeing. Interoperable systems and data intelligence is increasingly important with startups such as Intellischool and Octopus BI servicing this segment. 

This year sees a growth in the number of startups operating in the STEAM category, with startups such as Hackersjack and DiGii offering cybersecurity knowledge and digital life training for school aged children. 

Education and Training in the workforce segment also sees a focus on learning about and with technology, from tech training (Cyber Warrior Academy, JDoodle, Saasguru) to using technology for deskless workers (frntlne, Hindsite, Typsy).

Exhibit 3

EdTech B2B models remain strong in this market as institutions and organizations seek technology solutions for learning and talent.

Just over 40% of this year’s cohort operate a B2C model, across K12, Higher Education and Workforce. K12 D2C offerings include learning support (1question) Language Learning (Wukong) and Tutoring solutions (Amy). Startups operating in Higher Education include admissions (Crimson Education) and student loans (Zeefi). D2C workforce solutions focus on online training, language learning and internships.

Exhibit 4

This year’s list seeks a sharp swing to more mature startups as the market seeks proven solutions and the funding squeeze impacts earlier stage companies.

Only 15% of this year’s cohort were launched within the last five years, half of which are operating in direct to consumer model, with the remainder B2B. The last two years has seen a very tight funding environment globally for startups, making it difficult for earlier stage startups to secure funding to reach scale.  One quarter of this year's list are between 4-6 years old, most of which have raised a funding round, illustrating the importance of this critical period in a startups growth. Of those startups between 7-10 years, the vast majority are operating B2B models. 

 Exhibit 5

Track the 2023 Cohort

HolonIQ customers can track the data for the most promising EdTech startups in the region on the HolonIQ Intelligence Platform. Look for the 2023 Australia & New Zealand EdTech 50 list and double click into the data behind the charts. Request a Demo if you are not a customer and would like to learn more.