Welcome to Season Two of edtech insiders, where we talk to the most interesting thought leaders, founders, entrepreneurs, educators, and investors driving the future of education technology. I'm your host, Alex Sarlin, an edtech veteran with over 10 years of experience at top tech companies. We have a really special episode about
tech insiders today. ASU GSV season is here and 20 companies are about to compete live in San Diego at the conference for a million dollars in cash and credits at the ASU GSV Cup competition. Over 900 companies from more than 69 countries applied for this year's Cup competition, and the top 20 were selected from the elite 200 following a judging process led by over 200 Top VC firms and
strategic partners. On the episode today we have the last two winners of the ASU GSV cup to talk to us about the competition and its effect on their businesses. First off a friend of the pod Ope Bukola is passionate about building technology that improves access to knowledge and well being. She is the key CEO of Kibo School, which is a new online university providing affordable and high quality STEM degrees to African
students. She was also lead the product team for Google Classroom and was a product manager at amplify and manage partnerships at CK 12. She's been on the pod before because she's one of our absolute favorite guests and she won the ASU GSB Cup last year. We also have Ahva Sadeghi. I may be
mispronouncing that. But Sadeghi is a passionate social entrepreneur and co founder of Symba is an award winning venture backed and women founded internship platform that combines program management and data analytics tools to facilitate equitable access to jobs and wealth creation of as an economist and before launching Symba she worked at the US Department of State's in the Human Rights Bureau and completed a civil rights fellowship with Congressman John
Lewis in Atlanta. She was recently named Forbes 30 under 30 and a global entrepreneur scholar by the US Department of State welcome op, and ABA to the podcast, Ahva and Ope. Welcome to EdTech insiders.
Hi, Alex, thank you so much for having us.
It's great to be here. I'm excited.
It's so cool to have two winners of the ASU GSB cup at the same time. This is one of the biggest competitions in edtech. And you worked really hard to get to this amazing outcome. First off, let's just start by talking about each of your companies. You know, just for people who may not be familiar. I will let me start with you tell us about what Simba is.
Absolutely. Well, Simba is Simba not for the Lion King but for symbiotic relationships. And we help employers onboard and engage their early talent like apprenticeship and internship program so we don't help source. We help manage experience and we've powered over 10,000 to date.
Wow. 10,000 internships and apprenticeships. That's amazing. Very, very cutting edge. Obey. Tell us about Kibo.
Yes. So Kibo offers affordable STEM degrees to African students online. We currently have a bachelor's degree in computer science and have students in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya enrolled in the program.
It really transformative technology and people may recognize obeys company and voice because she has been a guest on the podcast before and she's always amazing. doing incredible work so quickly. Did you know ASU GSB season is here. 20 companies are going to compete live there the finalist companies in San Diego in early April for a million dollars in cash and credits.
This is the ASU GSB Cup competition, arguably the biggest pitch competition, you know, in all of edtech, over 900 companies applied this year for more than 69 countries, probably 69 countries applied all over the world 900 companies that was broken down to 200 elite semi finalists and now to the 20 finalists and they're all about to pitch at the conference. It's a really, really cool competition. And the two of you went through that process and
ended up at the very top. So first, I want to ask you open it, you know, you won the Cup last year and 2022 Tell us about that moment when you you know, put out the pitch and you realize, Wow, you came out on top.
Yeah, it was such an exciting moment. First of all, I want to say congratulations to everyone who's in the elite 200 this year and in the top 20 You've all worked really hard and well done. Honestly, the moment was so wild. I think I
was very very surprised. I was surprised to be the top three and at the moment And when it was announced that we won, you know, remember, Candice Parker, who's this very tall goddess like figure, who was one of the folks who was doing the announcements and giving the check. It just felt so exciting to have our work recognized. We had a lot of friends and supporters in the audience. So I just remembered the Glee and the joy of getting to celebrate that with so many of our dear friends.
Yeah, I saw pictures of you in that moment. And you just looked gleeful. It was so neat to see and you've worked so hard to get the company to the place where he could, you know, it could have that much potential and be recognized in that way. So it was really, really, it was really amazing. Oh, how about you tell us about that moment, when you realized you were coming out at the top of this huge competition.
I am so excited to share and just hearing your story, okay. Especially because I was there when you're on stage. And I remember voting for you is so exciting. It was a really monumental moment for us at similar to I mean, it was kind of this really big stage where everybody could see it, our family, our friends, it was like, all of a sudden, people were like, wow, this is real, as you know, been working on this tirelessly for the past few years. But like, everything has
come into fruition. And it was just such a proud moment. Because as a startup, you know, your family believes in you and they care about you. But you know, sometimes that validating about the work that you're doing. And also for us it was Mindy Kaling which was, I mean, just next level, we were like so excited, in fact that Mindy Kaling it said Simba, like all of our interns had, like, done fun videos and memes. And we're like, Mindy Keightley backs, you know, Simba, so it was just such
an exciting moment. And at startups, like there's just so much hard work, and so much tireless like effort. And you feel like you're sometimes like you keep going at any when, you know, there's something else ahead. So it was such a powerful moment to kind of step aside and just celebrate as a whole team. We had everyone on there, and it was during COVID. And I remember asking the team, I said, the security guards, if we win, can my team come up with me? And
they said, We'll allow it. And so I got by, and the whole team got to go up there and win the prize together. So that was a really big moment, I have the picture on my desk, just to remind me anytime things are down or things are heavy, that you know, we're winners, we're here to power through it all. So couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity.
Yeah, I love that point. I mean, everybody who has been an entrepreneur at any time knows that it can feel very isolating. It can feel lonely, your work doesn't always feel recognized. Sometimes it feels like you're not even sure if you're moving in the right direction. So a moment like that where it's visible. You both mentioned, you know, family and friends, seeing your work paying
off. It's such a exciting thing for any kind of entrepreneur, but especially in edtech, where the entire industry sometimes goes under the radar. And it's like you're doing such amazing work, but people aren't knocking down your door to invite you to Good Morning America. So getting that incredible visibility with this, like top tier conferences. Amazing. I'd love to actually dig into this, you know, open What did winning the cup mean to Kibo in terms of, you know, visibility of the company and
your work resources? Obviously, this this million dollar prize and cash and credits? Did it accelerate your growth? You know, what did it do for the company in concrete terms,
it came at a really phenomenal time for us because we were also raising our seed round. And I actually look back and think that was one of the luckiest weeks I've had in a long time. Because right before ASU GSB, we were fortunate enough to get a lead investor. So I was already going into the conference feeling great that we had a lead. And for anyone who's done fundraising, you know that security and lead can be really critical because you need to build momentum, and the lead
really helps build momentum. And then when we won, I think it just accelerated our momentum because I could go back and send emails that was like, for raising money, we have a lead, we just won this competition do you want in and it felt like the round went from being such a slug. You know, everyone who raises goes through the slug of just so many emails, so many intro calls all the nose, and it just turned around in instead. So it just felt like we fortune shone on us in so many ways in
that. So I think it really helped accelerate our fundraising concretely. And then the second thing it meant was it just helps people understand the vision. And are you were talking about your friends, or your family. And I realized from my family, you know, there's some people like my siblings who I talk to all the time. But my parents only had this vague idea of what we were trying to do. And all these other people only
had this vague idea. So tactically having a four minute pretty well done pitch that's like this is the thing. This is what we're trying to build. That also helped us as a company it we could send it to people we were trying to hire, we could send it to potential partners. So it gave us a lot from a fundraising and In a tight storytelling perspective,
yeah, I'd love to hear you know what it meant for you what it meant for Simba and your acceleration, you have this product that's really aligned to a lot of things that are happening in work, internships and apprenticeships are on the rise. What did the ASU GSB cup mean, for Simba,
I would honestly echo what oppa had said about the work and the impact that it had. And I know this is audio only, but open and I are like the most diverse founders that you know, when you think about the allocation of capital and fundraising, it typically less
than 1% of it goes to us. So it's really, really powerful to keep that in mind that, you know, not only is this that supportive of giving that much of a platform, but it also has been really powerful for empowering diverse founders, because of the way the whole process operates. That it is a community based, almost like American Idol form of doing it, which, you know, is obviously nerve wracking, because you're worried is someone going to create a bot and hack this whole
system. But their side of it really is validating because not only did you win, but you won based off of a community vote of people that are part of this community, not just a siloed group of maybe, you know, three to five judges. So I think that also was a very validating point that really gives us a lot of energy. As we move forward, we were in the middle of
fundraising of around two. And this also accelerated things for us and gave us a strong focus on the work that we were doing, and really helped us with storytelling, not only for our fundraise, but for sales and for how we talk about the work that we do. And so a lot of really amazing aspects. So really encourage the top 20, practice your pitch, practice, practice, practice.
And I want to maybe just plus one, something opposite about what it means for the community, I think, at ASU GSB. Last year, we had a lot of African startups, so startups that were building from Africa, serving Africans. And for me, one of the really emotional things was getting to sort of win with a company that was talking about the continent, you know, and that meant a lot, because so many people came up to me who were like, Wait, you guys are the fastest growing
continent, I had no idea. There were just so many things people don't know. And so it really did feel like we also got to tell not just Kibo story, but the story of the society thing that's happening on our continent. And I was super proud to be able to do that.
Yeah, those are great points. And so interesting. I wasn't even thinking about it from that perspective. But yet, what an incredible, I'm curious if other founders came up to either of you at the conference, or in any time since then, and said, Oh, seeing you, you know, on this stage, seeing you be recognized by the whole community, it was really inspiring for my journey. Have you gotten any feedback like that? I'll start with you.
I mean, a ton of feedback like that, especially from other women, founders, entrepreneurs, I think it's really exciting. And, you know, I know, I'm still very early in my career, but I've gotten to where I am from the support of a lot of mentors and advocates and champions who've lifted me up and given me opportunities or been a sponsor when I'm not in the room. So anything I can do when founders want to ask questions, or ask about my journey, I'm always excited. And I'm always really humble.
Because sometimes you forget about the kind of the earlier stages you kind of like, what is next we're in the, kind of in the cogs of everything that's happening. So it's also very rewarding to be able to kind of take a step back and, and really embrace that. So that was really exciting for us.
I'm curious if you've had that, obviously obey at the conference itself. You're seeing all these, you know, African entrepreneurs were really excited. And people were coming up and saying, I learned so much about this whole part of the world, this whole market this whole Wait, you know, education system from you. What have you heard since then have people come and said, Oh, wow, because of you, I'm doing X or because of seeing you there. I feel so much more confident.
Yeah, I think this year, there were a lot of founders who reached out about applying who I think might not have applied. So just seeing that company that serving the market we are serving could win, I think encouraged a lot of people. And I also was able to say, yeah, just apply, here's how you do it. Here's how you tell your story. So for sure, I think it inspired more people to apply. And then people who are building different types of
things, right. You know, we're sort of school and educational experience. And sometimes I think people think you need to have software play only to win these sorts of things. So think the more you can just show people like the diverse landscape of learning, and the more founders feel as if they can shoot their shot.
I'll just echo that and plus one, because I feel like oftentimes, we're held back by not doing things because we don't visually see it happening in front of us, like, you know, and that's why it's so important that when we look at an executive team on you know, a company's website that we're applying to or anything that we're doing, it's really important that we can see ourselves there and visualize
it. So when women are up there winning awards, when We have diverse concepts and a breadth of different startups up there pitching their narrative that will encourage more people. So this year was 900, hopefully next year is over 1000 applicants,
it's such a great thing to think about as well, that, you know, we've talked on this podcast a few times about how education is primarily female run, in almost every context, that majority of educators, the majority of principals, the majority, it's just, it's yet when you, and even a decent percentage of edtech, startups have female entrepreneurs, as founders or co founders, but the amount of capital, the amount of funding that goes to them is way
disproportionately small. And this is something that's just been such a confusing and kind of upsetting part of the EdTech ecosystem, the reach in our reports, both consciously, you know, mentioned this year, how reported out on how much funding is going to female founders, it's so inspiring for me, and I think for so many others, seeing your work be recognized in that way. I'd love to ask you both mentioned, you know, the pitch experience itself, how did you
prepare for the pitches? You know, obviously, I'm sure you had pitch decks, but you were saying, you know, okay, it was a great opportunity to sort of forcing function to get the pitch deck into a really amazing state that you could then reuse. Well, how did you prepare for the pitches? And how did you sort of steel yourselves for pitching in such a storied venue in front of so many peers? Okay, I'd love to start with you there.
Yeah. So I think the first kudos goes to the ASU GSV team, Fran, and team folks who are working because they really did help prepare us, they told us exactly, you know, here are the four P's that we're going to be looking for in terms of product people, etc. So I think we got good guidance, and they were really just very clear on this is how much time you have. So one part of preparing was just like understanding what the judges would be looking for in
the top 20. And how much time we had, for me, you know, I just you kind of practice, I don't know any other way to do it. Besides practice. One of the hardest things and I'm interested have on your take was actually how short it was. And, you know, it's that thing they say about writing like to be concise, you actually have to know what you're talking about. When you have more time, you can
put more fluff. So practicing it just really thinking and talking to my co founders, like what is the essence of the story, there's so much we want to mention, but you don't have time, what are you actually going to focus on. So I did a lot of practicing saying it to different people. Because it's also one thing to practice with your team or your co founders and people who know the story.
It's another thing to practice with people who just have not heard that much about you, and you really put them in the seat of the audience on the top three. So just did a lot of practice rounds, and really focused on getting the story tight.
I think that we did the same in the sense of like, just like really practicing it so much that it became second nature. But also, you know, making sure that we were telling something that was exciting. And that told a story. Okay, when you pitch you told such a powerful story. And you know, I had never met you. But I felt like I don't know so much pride when you were winning, because the story was so well
done. And I think that you know, practicing your story and pitch for startups is so incredibly important with the work you do. Because ultimately, you need to inspire people right at first you need to inspire people to join your team and you don't have capital. And then you need to inspire customers to join onboard when you don't have any early stages of a product and no one else is easy, then you have to inspire investors to give you money. So it's constantly this, you know, how do we tell the
story? How do we inspire. So it's really, really powerful. And you one thing that was interesting for us was during COVID, we initially had done all of our pitches online. So I remember getting to that stage. And seeing the whole shell is a shell amphitheater, I believe it was just gorgeous. And it was such an exciting experience just
to be on that stage. And really kind of getting really powerful and competent of like, we're going to do this, we're, you know, really starting to believe in yourself through the practice and the pitch, believing in the story that you're telling everyone as well. I really encourage founders to do that in everything you do as well.
Yeah, it's so funny, that sort of just standing and doing it in front of people is so different. And we do so much on Zoom these days that we're all out of practice of me to be live, you rarely get to do a live pitch.
It's really true. It makes me think of like TED talks, or obviously, you know, Shark Tank pitches is this funny art to being able to stand up and deliver something to as you both say, an audience that may not know anything about you at the very you know, at the outset, they're like, I don't know who this person is. I don't know what they do. And go from that to oh, I believe in them. I'm excited about this. The story is so compelling. There's a real art to that storytelling.
You mentioned the five P's of a framework. I just have it here in my notes right people product potential predictability and purpose that might have been four in the past. But now they have five people product potential predictability and purpose is ASU. GSB is a framework for not only the pitches, but how they choose the companies how they call down
from 900 to 200, to 20. Those are the five, you know, criteria in their rubric for whatever it's worth for anybody out there who might be thinking about pitching next year, which I hope a lot of you are. So here we are, the 20 finalists have been chosen. I am sure they're listening to this podcast as it's coming out right before the conference. What advice would you give to the companies that our pitching this year? They're obviously very excited to be in
the finals? What do you think they should be thinking about it this moment? I will let me start with you there.
I think they should be thinking about how are they going to be creative and memorable? With how are they going to stand out? What about their pitch are people going to really take away afterwards, that is going to make them memorable, so I would encourage them to have fun, get creative experiments, some fun ideas, you know, some simple things we did at the movies, we all came up in power suits in this in our brand
colors. And you know, we really, and we handed out hand sanitizer, because like at that time, that was huge. And you know, so we really just like understand, you know, how you can be thoughtful and creative right now.
I love that so much we have figured out what the equivalent of our power suits
are. echo everything I was said and then I guess outside of the stage and the pitch also do think about how you can use this honor of being in the top 20 outside of the stage right so there are going to be so many people at ASU GSB potential investors potential companies that you can partner with and it gives you a great thing to lead with right so this is my startup we're in the top 20 This year you know so use it and get some advantage out of it no matter what happens during the competition.
Awesome
advice. I hear it you know use the honor outside of the stage for investors and partners to have fun make it memorable storytelling we've already talked about Be thoughtful creative props have hand sanitizer is a great COVID prop I love that is when you mentioned the power suits it's so funny because I interviewed your co founder Nikita at New York ed tech week and she was power suit it out that attire to wear had a I think is your company colors like a pink like a hardcore Pink Power shooting
Vorteile. Sorry, to that's what it was hardcore to power suit. And you could just see her across the room, she looked like the most like just powerful person striding through that that conference. So it was really I'm sure that was made a very memorable visual effect. On the audience there. You had the honor outside the stage, it's such a good point, when obey and getting to the top 20 of 900 companies from all over the world is a huge deal in and of
itself. Getting to the top three, getting to the top one, as both of you have is even more but you know, this is a recognition from the entire field. And I mean, it's a competition, but it's a collaboration as well. I mean, we all know that at Tech, we're not in competition with each other. We're all trying to achieve the same types of goals
around the world. I'd love to hear what you would say to the companies in terms of, you know, not thinking about, you know, I'm sure they're not thinking about themselves as as fierce competitors, but how might they work with or collaborate or partner with other companies in this 20? Or in this 200? To accelerate the field? Did you have a chance to connect to other finalists?
Yes. And I loved that part of it. It's funny. So patto, who was second was already a friend of mine before. So it was really fun to be in the top three together, and then Maria get to really know her and her company. And you know, you have to play the long game as a founder, right? We're all going to be in this hopefully for a while. These are going to be your collaborators, they're going to be people who help you connect you to investors next
time you're looking for hire. So I think about that, first and foremost, you know, I remember seeing an opportunity on mental health. And I was like, oh, that's Maria's company, maybe this might be something interesting for her. So I'd encourage you to find the people that you connect with. I mean, we're educators, right? This is such a people business. And so first and foremost, find good people and then use that as part of building your tribe, because you're going through this unique
experience together. And then when you're backstage, people are so nice about helping each other Calm down, because there's so much nervous energy when you're waiting around to go pitch. So be nice and help each other do some breathing exercises.
That's so powerful. And I echo everything you said because I remember being backstage I think we were like almost all holding hands were like, I don't know anyway, it was like we're not on the team right now. But it was such an everybody one, right the top three. So we all got a really big and you know, we didn't even talk about that there's a cash prize, right? So on top of everything else, like that's a really big level of investment
without any equity tied to it. I don't think you see that in any pitch competition really, at that scale. And one thing that I also shares even now in the past, I would say a year where it has been even tougher in the market for startups, it's been really powerful to come together and share notes, share findings, and what we're seeing, and even almost create communities to support each other's mental health during this time with other founders, because it's
very lonely at the top. And oftentimes, if something's not going, well, you assume it's just your startup, but oftentimes, the whole community is experiencing it. And we can all be advocates and supporters of each other. So I would really embrace that mentality going into ASU GSB.
I love that and just for the listeners, you know, when you've mentioned Maria, okay, that's Maria Barrera from clay fall. And what was the other finalists? Say maybe you could just make sure to explain each of these entrepreneurs and their companies just for the people listening because they were your co finalists. Okay, who was the other one on the stage with you?
Yeah. So Hatto was on the stage with me. He's the CEO of collective Academy, and they are based in Latin and do a lot of like, great business education. It's sort of another challenger University, actually, but focused on technology, and business leaders. And then Maria, as you said, Her company is focused on kids mental health, and that's playful. That's great.
And how about you have a whole year co finalists that you are holding hands with backstage?
So we had ello, which was an AI reading book company, and then we also had Hello, source that makes interactive videos and storytelling, so all things that are really, really important, and you know, a little different than what we do at SEMA. So that goes back to the breadth and diversity.
Exactly. It's so nice that, you know, people have these different solutions that address different parts of the ecosystem, workforce, higher ed, k 12, you know, ai, b2c, and that's part of what I love about doing the podcast, people had just have totally different views of the world of education based on where they're working. And it's just so nice that people can come together in that forum at ASU, I want to ask
about trends. You know, we're right on the verge of ASU GSV, the, you know, arguably the very biggest, most, you know, collective energy conference in all of Ed Tech, a lot of deals get done a lot of buzz. What do you see as the sort of big trends that are going to be on everybody's lips? At the conference this year? When you walk into a cocktail party? What word are you going to hear? What trend are you going to hear over and over everywhere you go? Okay, let me start with you.
What do you expect to hear this year?
So I think we will all be talking about GPT for ad nauseam. So I don't think there's any way to avoid that. And, you know, conversations on AI in education, but the things I'm interested in that, but I'm also really interested, actually, in hearing more about alternative pathways. Like, I just want to learn more about apprentice programs, we were
just talking about that. And it's an area that I don't feel like I know a lot about, but also seems as if, in the US at least there's a lot of momentum towards apprenticeships and from providing those pathways. So those are some of the conversations I'm going to try to like sneak into and listen in on.
And we can totally sync up about that there too, because that's something we're really passionate about and doing so much research on because I think it's really being defined. That's a trend that we're really excited about. What does apprenticeship, you know, what do they evolve into? And what do youth apprenticeships look like? Because that's still being developed and designed as not even it's going to be hopefully coming out in spring, but we're still waiting to hear what's
more to come. And so I'm excited about apprenticeships, but also skills is one thing we're going to hear a ton about, and how are we going to design competencies and these types of programs that ensure that skills are transferable to other employers and organizations that we really are setting people up for success. So excited for those trends and look forward to meeting all the different startups and others who are excited about these trends to at ASU GSB.
If I could add one more that just came to mind. I think the theme this year is around equity. So I do hope that there's a lot of conversation on how we think about education equity, especially with you know, the AI talk that's happening. I think some of the potential downsides, right is for technology to exacerbate existing inequities. So I hope that there's a real conversation around that at conferences. Yeah, yeah,
that's a great point. And I think, you know, we go every week, we're talking about chat GBT every week this year so far, pretty much and chats up for just came out. No question that's going to be on people's mind because of exactly
what you're saying, okay. It could accelerate very strange things in education, or it could accelerate really amazing things in education, like, you know, learner centered education or interest based learning, but it also could be an advantage given to the already advantaged where they start getting going to AI boot camps and learn how to use these tools and everyone else's is left even further behind. Since I'm totally with you there. And apprenticeships are
on both of your minds. They're certainly on my mind as well. And I feel like we're finally getting to a real understanding of of what it means to have, you know, career readiness be baked into the education system. You mentioned, something's coming out in spring. I'm very curious about what that is. But it sounds like it's under wraps. Maybe we'll bring you back on the podcast when that comes out what youth apprenticeships will
look like? Last question here is just, you know, as you're on the verge of going to this conference, as winners, you know, as sort of returning champions to the ASU GSB cup. And, you know, how are you going to engage with the competition this year? Are you going to, you know, seek out these 20 finalists, either before or after the competition and, and say hello, and sort of bond with
them? Are you going to connect with friend and his team, which runs the ASU GSB cup out Alex Argo, and all those great, folks. I'm curious, just from an insider perspective, how do you see the competition coming back as a former winner, I will let me start with you there.
So I'm excited. I think it's so fun. And it's like this part of ASU GSB that's really dynamic, like the energy in the room is excited, you know, because usually, the person on stage all their team is behind you or with you. So it's just really fun. And it's exciting to see what are the new innovations that are happening. So I'm definitely going to be there as a cheerleader and excited to learn because that's
so powerful, right? You get these three to five minute pitches where you learn so much information about the market, as OB showed, you know some about your pitch and how you educated the audience. I think that's really powerful. So want to be there to meet others for meaningful relationships and support any way I can
totally agree, I'm excited to get to watch the top 20 this year. So you know, when you're pitching, you don't get to watch everyone because you're backstage for a good chunk of it, depending on your order. So I'm looking forward to sitting in the audience and cheering everyone on as they do their top 20 pitches. And of course, I'm turning them all on at the final three as well.
Yeah, maybe they could do a sort of viral page from the Oscars and have you to as the presenters next year, that would be fun. They do it there, you hang up the tail suits well, for you and Nikita, are you going to be
really still wearing them, those suits are coming out, they go out with every single conference, and I'm gonna recognize them now, which is really exciting.
You have to where we can't, the audience is expecting something.
I know, we were in Barcelona, and we were wearing the suit and someone came up and they were in the Ed Tech community. And it was really exciting. So I think it's really really powerful. And yeah, we're definitely gonna, you know, look for us in the teal suits, we won't wear them every day, we promise to wash them.
If you see he'll suits there in the crowded as you go say hello and congratulate oven and Nikita on there when it's so fun to have you both hear, it's such a rich conversation about something that is just such an exciting part of the EdTech world. I love these awards. I love this
conference. And it's just such a cool moment to be able to, you know, get recognized, as you both said, to get recognized by your family and friends who might not know exactly what you've been doing in your entrepreneurship journey get recognized by the community by people in the same space people in adjacent spaces. One of the things I love most about edtech is just how collegial it is, you know, people are really rooting for each other. It's not true in
every industry. And it just means everything to hear you, you know, cheering on not only your finalist competition, quote unquote, at the time, but all of the companies this year, it's really, really an amazing moment. You have any final thoughts about what your experience at ASU GSB this year is going to be like just anything? I've let me start with you what's just on your mind as you're gonna get on that plane and head over?
I think we're excited about partnerships and collaboration on the board of American succeeds, and they're launching some exciting work with skills work and excited to meet with other state and government organizations. We're going to be there and other startups. So we're going in the mindset of partnership and collaboration this year. How about you, okay,
I'm going in with really a desire to expand my thinking. For us, the last six months of chemo have been super heads down in a good way. You know, we launched our degree program, but I feel like I'm all in. And so I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to think ahead, to learn from other people to see what else is out there, and what innovations we can be using in our own work, who we can be partnering with. So I just want to expand my mind. That's my goal.
I love that partnerships, mind expansion, inspiration, I'm going in with that spirit as well. And I'm really, really excited about it. Thank you so much for both being here and obey have Kibo school and Symba winners of the ASU GSV Cup competition. I hope to bring you back on the podcast soon.
Thank you, Alex.
Thank you so much.
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