This blog was written by Treah Hutchings, Director, Educating All Learners Alliance.

I had an incredible opportunity at this year’s ASU-GSV conference to serve as a judge for The Annual Education Innovation Showcase Competition (EALA is a supporting partner of the event).

The Showcase is a global event honoring K-12 systems leaders who are launching and sustaining innovation in their communities. Educator leaders from around the world submit their innovative ideas for a chance to pitch their projects and be recognized with awards, including over $50K in cash and prizes for the top innovations. The competition provides a platform for leaders to share their innovation and spark inspiration & action for districts, networks, and schools around the world. 

Judges for the showcase included me and Aylon Samouha (Co-CEO, Transcend), Baron Davis (Senior Advisor, Digital Promise), and Scott Frauenheim (Chief Executive Officer, LEAP Innovations). 

Julia Hieser and Tiffany Taylor of GSV Ventures were the moderators of the event while none other than legendary Hip Hop legend, philanthropist, and author Darryl “DMC” McDaniels served as special guest and emcee of the event. 

The top 10 innovators received complimentary registration and accommodations at the 2024 ASU+GSV Summit, and the opportunity to pitch their ideas at the Summit for a shot at the grand prize. 

Find more information about the 2024 Top Finalists and their projects on https://www.asugsvsummit.com/education-innovation-showcase 

Prizes were divided into several categories: 

• Idea Category: $5,000 cash + $5,000 grant from Educating All Learners Alliance to ensure your innovation reaches all learners (plus support in implementation)
• Impact Category: $20,000 cash

In addition to the cash prize, both winners will receive:

• A Design Sprint with Transcend Education (valued at $10,000)
• 30 hours of consulting with the League of Innovative Schools, training on the Digital Promise Inclusive Innovation Framework, and complimentary registration and accommodation to any League of Innovative Schools’ convening or event (valued at $10,000)
• Consultation and training on the LEAP Learning Framework from Dr. Katie
  Speth, Chief of Learning Innovation at LEAP and former PreK-12 principal of a USDOE Blue Ribbon School
• Complimentary registration to next year’s ASU+GSV Summit!

The 2024 Impact Category Winner is…Spark NC! SparkNC – Igniting Futures in Tech is based in North Carolina School Districts. 

The 2024 Idea Category Winner is…Making Waves Education Foundation based in Richmond, California.

Congratulations to the winners and everyone who submitted their ideas for consideration this year! Look out for applications for the 2025 Showcase to open in the fall. 

If you’re interested in learning about other funding opportunities, check out the 2024 New Champions Fund. EALA New Champions will be announced in July. https://educatingalllearners.org/new-champions/