The Exit Playbook: What EdTech founders and investors are actually looking for

Exiting an edtech company has never been straightforward, and today’s market is asking different questions of founders and investors alike. AI is lowering the cost of building products and reshaping how companies are assessed, investors are questioning what’s truly defensible, and traditional business models are under pressure. Buyers are also looking beyond growth alone to focus on resilience, outcomes, talent, and long-term value.
Join us during London EdTech Week for a candid conversation on what it takes to really build, scale and successfully exit an EdTech business today. You’ll hear directly from founders who’ve been through it, alongside investors actively backing companies in today’s market. Expect honest reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and what they would do differently next time. No slides, just practical insights.
Speakers include:
Laurie Forcier (Chair) – Vice President of Strategy at EDT&Partners, working across learning, technology and systems change. Laurie has supported organisations across the global learning ecosystem to navigate complexity, communicate clearly, and create the conditions for impact.
Simon Greany – Co-founder of Elucidat, who built one of the UK’s leading learning technology platforms over 12 years, reaching more than 50 million learners worldwide.
Simon Hay – Co-founder of Firefly Learning, which grew from a side project into a global platform used in 50 countries, raised over £10m, and was ultimately sold to US EdTech company Veracross.
Helen Gironi – Director at Ufi Ventures, investing in early-stage companies shaping the future of skills and work. Helen brings over 20 years’ experience, including previous roles as Investment Director at Nesta Impact Investments and Non-Executive Director for Octopus Ventures.
After the discussion, guests are invited to join speakers, the Ufi Ventures team and sector colleagues from DOHE and techUK for informal drinks nearby - a chance to continue the conversation and connect with others shaping the future of EdTech.
Express your interest in attending
If you are a founder or investor active in vocational technology, adult skills or the future of work and would like to attend, please request to join using the button above. Capacity is limited and must be confirmed in advance.