Susana de la Puente: “EdTech Aids in Democratising Education, as it Makes it More Accessible, Flexible and Affordable”

Susana de la Puente is a renowned Peruvian investment banker. She worked for 25 years at JPMorgan, where she specialised in mergers and acquisitions, as well as investment banking for Latin America. She held the position of Vice Chairman Investment Banking Latin America in 2005.

De la Puente worked in private equity entities in New York, and created a fund for Latin American companies. Susana De la Puente has been a board member of various companies and non-profit organisations over the last decade. One of them is the Wiese Group, her family’s business conglomerate.

Currently, Susana de la Puente resides between London and Madrid. She is dedicated to identifying and investing in start-ups across various sectors. Her primary focus lies within the field of education technology in Latin America, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

How Has EdTech Evolved in Recent Years?

EdTech has experienced significant growth given the massive access to digital information and communication. There is increasing interest in the use of technologies that enable quality personalised education, accessible in a timely and suitable manner, and that enable the use of analytical tools to monitor and evaluate student progress.

In addition, the pandemic has accelerated this trend by forcing many educational institutions to adopt technological solutions for remote learning. These circumstances have driven the development of new EdTech solutions and platforms, and many companies have been created, funded by investors specialising in this sector.

What Are the Current Trends in the EdTech Market?

One of the biggest trends is the application of virtual and augmented reality technologies. There is also a greater emphasis on personalised and adaptive learning, as well as the use of artificial intelligence and data analysis to optimise learning.

What Is Your Opinion on the Impact of Technology on Education?

By leveraging technology, education has become affordable for many more people, regardless of their location or financial capacity. Above all, it is significantly improving the quality of education worldwide. Learning has proved to be not only more accessible but also more interactive, motivating, and effective.

However, it is important to remember that technology cannot replace teachers. Teachers are integral to this paradigm shift because they guide students in their choice of learning options and methodology. Their role is indispensable in sharing experiences and knowledge, as well as promoting dialogue and the exchange of ideas among students.

How Do You Believe EdTech Can Contribute to the Democratisation of Education?

EdTech is significantly aiding the democratisation of education, as it makes it accessible to many more people. Technology removes geographic and economic barriers, and enables students from any part of the world to have the same educational resources and learning opportunities. Additionally, EdTech solutions can be adapted to different learning styles, needs, and individual strengths. In this way, students progress at their own pace and maximise their soft and hard skills.

How Do you Assess the Impact of the Pandemic on the EdTech Industry? Do You Believe the Pandemic Has Accelerated its Adoption in Education?

Absolutely. It has been a catalyst for the adoption of technology to enable remote education. Many educational institutions have been forced to incorporate technological tools to continue teaching during the lockdown and their effectiveness has been demonstrated. These circumstances have created new opportunities for the EdTech industry and highlighted the importance of technology in education.

How Do You See the Future of the EdTech Market?

I believe the EdTech market will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years. There will be a greater focus on the personalisation of learning and improving the student experience. We will also see more collaboration between educators and technology innovators.

What Are the Main Challenges Which EdTech Start-ups Are Currently Facing?

The development of effective technologies tailored to the real needs of students and educators is of utmost importance. Many start-ups have a great idea, but effective implementation, scalability and long-term sustainability can be difficult to achieve. Additionally, it presents a challenge to firmly establish the culture of EdTech among teachers, students, and their families.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes EdTech Start-ups Make When Seeking Funding?

One of the most common is a lack of focus on profitability and the business model. Start-ups often focus on technological development and the rapid growth of sales or the number of users, neglecting the financial aspect and the profitability of the business, which is what investors ultimately look for.

It is also important to bear in mind that the EdTech industry is highly competitive. There are many very attractive projects and scarce capital, so it is important to stand out and offer a differentiated value proposition with a real possibility of scaling to large volumes and financial support.

What Advice Would You Give to EdTech Entrepreneurs Seeking Capital?

I would recommend that they first focus on offering something that truly responds to a need or solves an almost universal problem. Then, ensure that the business model is viable and sustainable over time, as well as scalable. It is important to always maintain a balance between volume growth and profitability. It is also crucial to have a clear revenue generation plan and the ability to attract funding.

Finally, I would advise them to partner with educators and experts in the education sector to ensure that their technology meets the changing needs of students and educators.

Speaking of Investment, Why Invest in EdTech?

EdTech is a great business opportunity given the high demand and its enormous growth potential. It’s a sector in constant evolution, which means there are always opportunities for innovation and the development of new solutions. Moreover, technology helps to improve the quality of education, make it accessible to everyone and reduce costs.