143 CEOs from our 2021 Global EdTech 1000 are women. We're celebrating this inspirational cohort and hoping this spotlight inspires action and support for more women entrepreneurs around the world to lead us towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Through 2021, HolonIQ identified the top 1000 EdTech startups around the world. Region by region, we mapped the most promising EdTech startups, both early and late stage. We mapped the Africa EdTech 50, Australia and New Zealand EdTech 50, Europe EdTech 100, India and South Asia EdTech 100, LATAM EdTech 100, Nordic and Baltic EdTech 50, North America EdTech 200, East Asia EdTech 150, Russia and CIS EdTech 100, Israel EdTech 50 and finally the Southeast Asia EdTech 50. To be eligible, these companies had to be startups (i.e. not acquired, controlled or listed), operating in the field of education, learning or training technology, and generally less than 10 years old.
We’re celebrating the women leading these incredible startups as CEOs or Co-CEOs, and the work they are doing to transform the way the world learns. Through our work at HolonIQ, which is also co-founded and co-led by a woman, we are determined to play our part in eliminating the gender gap in leadership, entrepreneurship and education.
Despite the progress made in parity for women, there’s still an enormous amount to be done. Our Global State of Play Report on Women CEOs and Leadership (from last International Women’s day) around the world deep dives into the numbers across different industries to highlight the areas making most progress and where much work is still to be done.
143 Women CEOs and Founders leading Global EdTech Startups
The following amazing women have Founded or Lead the most promising Edtech Startups globally. Building and running a startup is not for the faint hearted with an estimated 90% failure rate and research shows that barriers for women to start or lead a successful business are higher than normal. The women you see below have not only overcome significant odds but are focused on making a difference in the lives of millions of learners worldwide. Congratulations on your impact so far and we look forward to tracking your progress over the coming years.
If by chance we have missed a female CEO or Founder/Co-Founder who leads an EdTech company selected in HolonIQ’s Global EdTech 1000 Series, please contact us immediately and we will update the list.

Jane Ding
Co-CEO at Yunxuetang

Jenni Vartiainen
Co-Founder and Head of Pedagogies & Research at Kide Science

Jessica Butcher
Co-Founder at Blippar

Jill Snape
Co-Founder at Teach Starter

Julia Spiridonova-Mikeda
Co-Founder at Netologiya

Julie Hansen
CEO and CRO at Babbel

Julie Yoo
CSO and Co-Founder at Pymetrics

Kayee Au
Co-Founder at Mosabi

Ketika Kapoor
CEO and Co-Founder at ProEves

Ketty Lie
Co-Founder at ErudiFi

Lane Litz
CEO and Co-Founder at Chatterize

Lauma Kazaka
COO and Co-Founder at Solfeg

Leticia Lyle
Founding Partner and Chief Education Officer at Camino Education

Lina Ahmed
Co-Founder at Dot & Line

Lucy Lloyd
CEO and Co-Founder at Mentorloop

Maheen Adamjee
CEO and Co-Founder at Verto Education

Mallory Meiser
Co-Founder and VP of Student Experience at Verto Education

Margret Juliana Sigurdardottir
Founder at Mussila

Maria Gårdlund
CEO at Dugga

Maria Velez
CEO and Founder at Crack the Code

Mariana Costa Checa
CEO and Co-Founder at Laboratoria

Mariana Garza Villalobos
CEO and Founder at Inverkids

Marie Lauvås
CEO and Co-Founder at Capeesh

Marie Lou Papazian
CEO at Tumo

Marija Mitrovic
Owner and Teacher at Algoritmika

Marisa Conway
Co-Founder at Arifu

Marta Helena Forero Sepúlveda
Co-Founder at Ubits

Masha Konopelko
CEO and Co-Founder at Solvery

Meghan Fitzgerald
CLO and Co-Founder at Tinkergarten

Mervi Palander
CEO and Co-Founder at GraphoGame, Founder at Claned

Mila Semeshkina
CEO and Founder at Lectera

Milda Juonė
Managing Director at Eduka

Miora Randriambeloma
Co-Founder at Chalkboard Education

Natalie Mactier
CEO at Vivi

Natasha Klimchuk
CEO and Co-Founder at Bang Bang Education

Nikki Bonus
CEO and Founder at Life Skills Go

Nisha Ligon
CEO and Co-Founder at Ubongo

Nitzan Pelman
Co-Founder at ReUp Education

Noelle Millholt
CRO and Co-Founder at BEGiN

Noemi Valencia de Trainor
Founder and Chief Learning & Inspiration Officer at Knotion

Oksana Selendeeva
Founder at CODDY

Olya Marazova
Co-Founder at Bang Bang Education

Parita Parekh
Co-Founder and Head of Learning at Toddle

Parul Gupta
CEO and Co-Founder at Springboard

Patricia Scanlon
CEO and Founder at SoapBox Labs

Paula Cardenau
Co-Founder and Director at Arbusta

Pia Ella Elmegård
Co-Founder and Managing Director at Growth Tribe

Pia Jormalainen
CEO and Co-Founder at New Nordic School

Priya Lakhani
CEO and Founder at CENTURY

Rachel Carlson
CEO and Co-Founder at Guild Education

Raffaela Rein
Founder at CareerFoundry

Raphaelle Covilette
CEO and Co-Founder at Kokoroe

Renee Mang
Co-Founder and Senior Vice President, Originations and Servicing at Vemo Education

Rupika Taneja
Co-Founder at CodeYoung

Sahra Josephine Hjorth
CEO and Co-Founder at CanopyLAB

Sandi Lin
CEO and Co-Founder at SkillJar

Sarah Horn
CEO and Co-Founder at ReUp Education

Sari Hurme-Mehtälä
CEO and Co-Founder at Kide Science

Sharndre Kushore
Co-Founder and Director at Crimson Education

Shweta Doshi
Co-Founder at GreyAtom
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