Top 7 Edtech Startups in Australia 2023 - Offering Global Opportunities

Top 7 Edtech Startups in Australia 2023

Australia flag



Australia, with its innovative spirit and commitment to quality education, has given rise to a flourishing ecosystem of Educational Technology or Edtech startups. Technology has become a force that reshaped the way we learn and teach.

These pioneers are not just changing the face of education within the continent but are also making waves globally. In this article, we examine the Top 7 Edtech Startups in Australia. These startups are redefining the future of learning. So, let’s dive in and discover the impact of Edtech startups in Australia.

1. Go1

In 2015, Go1 an innovative cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS) platform was founded in Brisbane, Australia.  It has since carved out a remarkable presence in the ed-tech. At its inception, the company raised funding of USD 400 million from different investors, including Five Sigma Labs, AirTree, and Blue Cloud Ventures. The company has been on a mission to modify training and education across various industries.

One of its standout features is its adaptability to cater to a broad range of businesses across multiple industries. This cloud-based LMS platform gives employers the flexibility to customize a white-labeled training portal. This is achieved by seamlessly integrating courses from a marketplace or by crafting entirely new courses using the company’s materials.

Moreover, the platform stands out in terms of compatibility. It adheres to SCORM standards. This makes it a versatile and interoperable solution for any organization. This means that users can effortlessly upload their existing content, into the platform’s learning environment.

This versatility isn’t just limited to the private sector. The platform extends its reach by providing solutions for government entities, large enterprises, and even content creators. This bridges the gap between traditional and modern education methods.

2. Edrolo 

Established in 2011 and headquartered in Fitzroy, Australia, Edrolo has firmly positioned itself as a leading provider of educational resources. It is dedicated to helping students in their academic journeys. It generates funding of USD 43 million from investors like Blackbird Ventures, TelstraSuper, NGS Super, etc. Edrolo has been instrumental in transforming the educational landscape.

Edrolo offers a variety of courses spanning across different range of subjects. Students can access high-quality educational materials for subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, English, legal studies, physical education, studio arts, and more. These courses are thoughtfully designed to provide comprehensive coverage of the subject matter.

One of the standout features of Edrolo’s offerings is its emphasis on interactive learning. The courses incorporate engaging video theory content that helps students grasp complex concepts with ease. Additionally, formative assessments and practice exams are integral components, enabling students to evaluate their progress.  It also refined their understanding of the subject matter.

Moreover, Edrolo doesn’t stop at just delivering content; it goes the extra mile by providing insightful analytics. These analytics offer valuable data on student performance, allowing both educators and learners to identify strengths and areas that require improvement. This data-driven approach enhances the overall learning experience.

In essence, Edrolo’s commitment to providing high-quality educational resources, coupled with its innovative approach to interactive learning, has made it a go-to destination for students seeking to excel academically. Its strategic location in Fitzroy, Australia, has been the epicenter of its operations, driving its mission to empower students with knowledge. With substantial funding and a network of visionary investors, Edrolo continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education by leveraging technology and data to facilitate meaningful learning experiences.

3. Compass

Compass Education, operating under JDLF International, has been at the forefront of educational technology since its establishment in 2009. Its headquarters is situated in Melbourne, Australia. With substantial funding amounting to USD 41 million from investors like Advent Partners and Nero Capital. Compass Education has been dedicated to changing school management through its web-based platform.

This platform includes a wide range of features designed to streamline and enhance various aspects of school administration:

  1. Attendance and Roll Marking: Simplify the process of tracking and managing student attendance. This ensures accurate records.
  1. Semester and Progress Reporting: Enable educators to efficiently report on student progress.  It fosters effective communication with parents and stakeholders.
  1. News Feed: Create a central hub for school communication, keeping the entire community informed and engaged.
  1. Calendaring: Manage school events, schedules, and important dates with ease and efficiency.
  1. Staff, Student, and Parent Portal: Provide dedicated portals for everyone, to offer easy access to relevant information.
  1. Online Payments: Facilitate secure online transactions for fees, events, and other financial matters.
  1. Curriculum Builder: Equip educators with tools to create and manage curriculum content effectively.
  1. Parent-Teacher Interviews: Simplify the organization and scheduling of parent-teacher interactions.
  1. Behavior Management: Aid educators in tracking and addressing student behavior effectively.
  1. Budgeting and Purchase Orders: Offer comprehensive financial management tools to support the efficient operation of educational 

Furthermore, Compass Education’s commitment to accessibility is evident as its platform is available across multiple devices, including PCs, tablets, and mobile phones. For users on the iOS platform, dedicated apps are available to further enhance convenience and usability.

4. PeoplePlan

Peopleplan has emerged as a key player in corporate learning platforms. It was established in 2010 and is based in Surry Hills, Australia. Peopleplan has been dedicated to reshaping the way businesses approach employee development and training.

At its core, PeoplPlanan offers a learning platform tailored for businesses, to facilitate effective learning and growth:

  1. Learning Modules: Providing comprehensive learning modules that cover a wide range of topics and skills essential for professional development.
  1. Quizzes: Evaluating and reinforcing knowledge through quizzes, ensuring employees grasp key concepts.
  1. Certification: Recognizing and validating employees’ achievements through certification, boosting motivation and skills.
  1. Learning Forum: Fostering collaborative learning through a forum where employees can engage in discussions and share insights.
  1. Sector-Specific Focus: Catering to a variety of sectors, including retail, consumer goods, sports, and more, to address industry-specific needs effectively.

Notably, Peopleplan goes the extra mile by extending Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for individuals, to improve their skills and knowledge.

Peopleplan also offers consulting services to businesses.  This assists them in tailoring their learning and development strategies to align with organizational goals. Custom learning content is also a key offering, ensuring that companies can provide training that meets their unique requirements.

5.  Vivi

Vivi was founded in 2015, with its headquarters in South Yarra, Australia. Vivi has emerged as a pioneering force in smart classroom solutions designed specifically for higher education institutions.  Vivi is changing the way education is delivered in the modern setting.

Vivi’s smart classroom solution is characterized by a comprehensive set of features designed to improve the teaching and learning experience within higher education:

  1. Wireless Screen Mirroring: Empowering educators and students to seamlessly share content from their devices to a central display. 
  1. User Management: Provides administrators with tools to efficiently manage user access and privileges.  This ensures a secure and controlled environment.
  1. Digital Signage: With digital signage, institutions can display important announcements, events, and information. This method will enhance communication within the campus.
  1. Emergency Broadcasting: Institutions can swiftly communicate critical information during emergencies, ensuring the safety of all stakeholders. 

One of Vivi’s standout features is its Bring Your Device (BYOD) platform. This innovation allows users to connect their devices, regardless of the operating system, directly to the display through the network. This flexibility encourages active participation and collaboration, making it an ideal solution for modern, tech-savvy classrooms.

6. Smart Sparrow

Smart Sparrow, was established in 2011 and has dual headquarters in San Francisco, United States, and Sydney, Australia. It has risen to prominence as a leading online adaptive learning management system tailored for universities. 

Smart Sparrow designed a different and adaptive platform that empowers educators and developers to create, manage, and analyze content with precision. This adaptive approach is designed to provide students with personal learning pathways. This enables them to go through the course materials with clarity and direction. The platform also excels in addressing misconceptions by giving valuable feedback, to ensure students grasp key concepts effectively.

One of Smart Sparrow’s key strengths lies in its versatility. It seamlessly integrates with a wide range of modern Learning Management Systems (LMS). This makes it a flexible choice for institutions looking to improve their educational technology infrastructure.

Furthermore, Smart Sparrow doesn’t just stop at content creation and delivery; it excels in analytics. The platform provides real-time analysis of student data. This gives educators actionable insights to support and optimize their teaching strategies.

Smart Sparrow operates on a premium model, institutions, and individual teachers have the opportunity to purchase access to the learning management system. This approach ensures that the platform is accessible to a wide range of educational stakeholders.

Notably, Smart Sparrow has formed a partnership with OpenLearning. This further expands its reach and influence within the higher education landscape.

7. Zookal

Zookal was founded in 2011 with its headquarters in Sydney, Australia. It has solidified its presence as a versatile online book rental service.  Zookal’s commitment to making books accessible to a wide audience has changed the way people approach book acquisition.

At its core, Zookal offers a multifaceted platform that allows users to borrow, buy, or sell books. This offers flexibility and convenience. It’s particularly appealing to students and avid readers, with a vast library of books to choose from. Zookal further also provides free delivery and pick-up services, to simplify the process for customers.

One notable offer of Zookal is its ability to give books at discounted prices compared to traditional retail. This affordability factor has made it a go-to destination for budget-conscious readers and students seeking cost-effective solutions for their reading needs.

Moreover, Zookal also has subsidiaries venturing into the online video and tutoring marketplace. Here, senior university students take on the role of educators, uploading videos where they explain subjects to junior students. This approach uses various teaching methods, including handwriting, PowerPoint presentations, and other supplementary materials to improve learning.

In Australia, Edtech is more than a mere industry; it’s a testament to the nation’s dedication to quality education and innovation. 

FAQs

What is Compass Education, and what does it offer to schools and educational institutions?

Compass Education is a web-based school management platform based in Melbourne, Australia. It offers features such as attendance tracking, reporting, parent portals, and more.  It is designed to streamline administrative tasks in educational institutions.

Can you explain the key features of Vivi’s smart classroom solution for higher educational institutes?

Vivi offers features like wireless screen mirroring, user management, and emergency broadcasting. It allows BYOD connectivity and integrates with modern LMS systems, enhancing engagement in higher education classrooms.

How does Smart Sparrow’s online adaptive learning platform benefit both educators and students?

Smart Sparrow’s platform enables educators to create, manage, and analyze content, offering personalized learning pathways for students, feedback to address misconceptions, and real-time analytics for educators to optimize teaching strategies.

What are some of the primary features of Peopleplan’s learning platform for businesses?

Peopleplan’s platform offers learning modules, quizzes, certification, and more. It provides user management, digital signage, and even emergency broadcasting. It’s a versatile solution with different content and collaboration tools.

How does Zookal’s book rental service work, and what sets it apart from traditional bookstores?

Zookal allows users to borrow, buy, or sell books online, with free delivery and pick-up services. It offers discounted prices and caters to students and readers on a budget.

What types of subjects and materials can students find on Zookal’s platform?

Zookal provides a large library of books for various subjects. This makes it suitable for students from different academic backgrounds.

Could you elaborate on the online video and tutoring introduced by Zookal for university students?

Zookal’s video and tutoring marketplace allows senior university students to create educational videos for junior students.  They use various teaching methods like handwriting and presentations. 

What sectors does Peopleplan cater to, and how does it enhance corporate learning and development?

Peopleplan serves sectors like retail, consumer goods, and sports.  They have a learning platform that includes user management, analytics, and content creation tools to drive employee development.