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Edna Martinson is the Co-founder and COO of Boddle Learning, a gamified K–6 learning platform used by millions of students to build confidence in math, literacy, and science. She is passionate about combining great game design with research-backed learning experiences that teachers and students love.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Boddle was built to compete with video games.
2. How gamification drives learning and confidence.
3. What teachers want from classroom technology.
4. How AI is shaping Boddle's future.
5. The next evolution of personalized learning.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:18] How teachers fueled Boddle's growth.
[00:05:47] Designing games kids genuinely love.
[00:16:41] Why Boddle chose a 3D gaming experience.
[00:19:21] Evidence behind Boddle's learning impact.
[00:24:23] AI's role in content and personalization.
[00:33:20] Boddle's unique parent-funded model.
[00:41:50] The future of game-based learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

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Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, edtech investment, philanthropy, the future of work, and AI-powered learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:33] Bridges AI Summit brings district leaders together to discuss AI adoption, pilots, and edtech purchasing
[00:05:19] Imagi raises $4.5M with backing from OpenAI, Lovable, Will.i.am, Kahoot!, and ElevenLabs
[00:09:18] AI, cross-sector platforms, and portfolio consolidation drive edtech investment trends
[00:10:40] Gates Foundation leadership shakeup signals a new chapter for education philanthropy
[00:15:45] Gates Foundation and the future of philanthropy in an era of AI wealth
[00:20:30] OpenAI report explores how AI is expanding workers’ roles beyond traditional job boundaries
[00:21:00] OpenAI launches a campus leaders program to build student communities around AI tools
[00:31:00] Y Combinator calls for startups building personalized AI tutors
[00:37:35] Coursera invests $100M in a new AI-native learning company founded by Andrew Ng
[00:41:15] Time’s top edtech companies list sparks debate over how the industry is ranked

Plus, special guests:
[00:44:39] Kavitta Ghai, CEO and Co-founder of Nectir, on AI in higher ed and K–12, student outcomes, and privacy
[01:00:13] Aidan McDowell, Founder and CEO of UniqLearn, on personalized learning, career exploration, and student curiosity

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Inside Columbia's First EdTech Showcase, Alex Sarlin sits down with the founders and leaders behind the inaugural Columbia EdTech Showcase to explore the startups, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of learning from AI-powered discussion tools to health education, learning science, and content curation.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

[00:01:56] Pete Novak, Founder, Columbians in EdTech
[00:14:48] Dan Wang, Co-Founder, CAiSEY
[00:32:43] Kyleigh Sudlow, Lead Engineer, Puberry
[00:41:22] Andrew Cohen, Founder & CEO, Brainscape
[00:57:32] Kai Wright, Founder, Tangramio

Disclaimer: Columbians in EdTech is an independent community for individuals affiliated with Columbia University. It is not an official program of, endorsed by, or affiliated with Columbia University. For more information, visit ColumbiansInEdTech.org.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.