Revolutionizing Learning with Digital Tools Post-Pandemic
The 2024 edition of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Education features a dynamic group of young entrepreneurs who are leveraging digital solutions to address ongoing educational challenges. As education continues to grapple with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, these innovators are stepping up to fill crucial gaps. With students requiring significant additional instruction to regain pre-pandemic achievement levels and escalating concerns about student mental health, this year’s honorees are implementing transformative digital approaches to enhance educational outcomes.
Selection Process and Esteemed Panel of Judges
For over a decade, Forbes has annually recognized the most promising young leaders in education, selecting them from thousands of public nominations. To qualify for the 2024 list, nominees had to be younger than 30 as of the end of 2023 and were assessed by a distinguished panel of past honorees. This panel included Dan Carroll of Clever, Katelyn Donnelly of Avalanche VC, and Andrew Grauer of Learneo and Course Hero—each bringing a wealth of experience in educational entrepreneurship to evaluate the candidates effectively.
Innovations from the 2024 Honorees
Among the standout innovators is Sri Naraynan, whose startup Kodely is making waves by offering after-school and holiday tech-literacy workshops to students across 45 school districts, addressing educational disruptions effectively. Another notable entrepreneur, Ceri Riley, is harnessing the power of social media to enhance scientific literacy through engaging YouTube videos, digital games, and the podcast SciShow Tangents. Meanwhile, Diana Heldfond’s Parallel Learning is making special education more accessible with tailored virtual services, ensuring that students with special needs receive the support they need in the digital realm.
Addressing New Educational Challenges
The transition back to in-person learning hasn’t solved all pandemic-era problems. Recognizing this, Kerry Ao and Naina Muvva of Intertwined have developed a financial literacy platform that uses AI to customize learning experiences, meeting students at their individual learning stages. Additionally, with mental health issues on the rise among students, Tessa Zimmerman’s Upstream Education is equipping teachers with tools for integrating mindfulness and positive psychology into the classroom, aiming to create a more supportive learning environment.