EdTech to the United States of America
The NSW Going Global Export Program is designed to help businesses expand into international markets with confidence and ease. Eligible businesses can apply for free support to export EdTech products and services to the USA. Applications open on Monday 28 October 2024 and close on Sunday 24 November 2024.
Program dates
December 2024 to April 2025
Key event
SXSW EDUExternal Link (3 March 2025, Austin, Texas) and optional activities around SXSW (7 March 2025)
In-person attendance at the event is required.
Why this market
The global EdTech market in 2020 was estimated to be worth $89.49 billion (USD) and is projected to grow at compound annual growth rate of 19.9% from 2021 to 2028.
Given the size of the U.S. education sector, North America is the largest global market for EdTech, comprising almost 37%.
Key trends and opportunities for innovators within the US Education sector include:
- Increased competition in higher education
- Classes being taken from massive open online courses (MOOCs)
- Adoption of mobile devices (tablets are used in 85 percent of U.S. K-12 school districts)
- Learning models that incorporate personalized and blended learning techniques
- Requirements for technical products/solutions to data privacy, professional development and training courses, student assessments and computer science.
SXSW EDU is a diverse event that attracts educators, administrators, policymakers, students, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, creatives, and visionaries who share their expertise, learn from each other, and shape the future of education.
Participation requirements and success factors
Eligibility for the overall Program
The applicant business will need to:
- Have headquarters in NSW
- Have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) registered for NSW
- Be export-capable and export-ready
- Have an employee number between 10 and 199 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- The product or service must be produced primarily in NSW
- The product or service is achieving sales already in NSW
- Have a website featuring the product or service
- Be prepared to adapt the product or service for the new market
- Be flexible regarding market-entry method
- Have resources to support marketing and development for a new market
- Be willing to travel to the selected market and/or to Sydney for events, and must cover own travel expenses
Participants must be willing to accept the terms and conditions of participating in the program.
Note: this program is designed for NSW businesses who produce and own their own brand. This program is not for aggregators, traders, or businesses who sell services to exporters
Applicants who have not previously participated in a Going Global program to the United States will be given priority. Applicants who have already participated in a Going Global program must demonstrate previous commitment and participation in the program and an ongoing commitment to deliver on previous support.
Additional eligibility requirements for this stream
The applicant business should:
- Already be generating revenue or already have funding to support US market expansion
- Be market-ready product with an established US product-market fit
- Commitment to scale to the US within the next 12 months
The ideal participant
- Has a unique and innovative education technology product
- Has a compelling proposition for the U.S. market
- Demonstrates an established U.S. product-market fit
- May have an employee who already does some work in the U.S.
- Commits to scale to the U.S. within the next 12 months
Businesses not eligible for this stream
- Consultants and service providers selling solutions to EdTech startups
Curriculum
Introductory sessions
- Welcome session - December 2024
Market intelligence briefings and business readiness webinar (one hour)
- The U.S. digital Edtech ecosystem
- Go-to-market strategy
- Pitch coaching
- Setup (business registration, tax and structure)
- Raising capital in the US (preparation, representation and legal)
- Selling Edtech solutions into US organisations
Preparation to meet potential partners/customers
- Help refining your pitch and go-to-market strategies
- 1:1 advisory from Investment NSW staff
- Access to mentor(s) to advise your business on U.S. expansion
Introductions to potential partners/customers
- A ticket for one delegate to attend SXSW EDU
- Access to other SXSW Australia activities and activations
- Opportunities to network with potential customers and partners
- Introductions to in-market stakeholders, potential partners and customers
Ongoing advice and follow up
- Ongoing support provided by a dedicated NSW Government Export Adviser
Note: the curriculum is subject to change
How to apply
Applications closed on Sunday 24 November 2024.