1H 2019 sees $3.5B of VC funding into EdTech, accelerating innovation around the world.
Over 400 EdTech organizations globally raised Venture Capital in 1H 2019, totalling $3.5B of capital. We saw 90 deals over $5m, almost on par with 1H18, led by familiar players like 🇨🇳Zhangmen ($350m), 🇨🇳DaDa ($255m), 🇨🇳Knowbox ($150mm), 🇨🇳Gaosi ($140m), 🇺🇸Coursera ($103m), 🇬🇧Futurelearn ($65m) and rumours that Qatar’s Sovereign Wealth Fund is about to invest in 🇮🇳Byju’s ($200m+).
2019 VC investment levels may establish a 'new normal'.
EdTech VC investment in 2018 was absolutely unprecedented, almost double 2017 investment levels. However, 2019 EdTech VC investment is on track to challenge 2018 flows, sustaining a significant step-up over the prior period. We are estimating 2019 will reach $7.5B of VC subject to the timing of several mega deals in play and assuming China continues investing at pace.
The biggest change in 2018 and 2019 was the acceleration of the Chinese mega-investment round. Most months now include a $100M+ VC round, Coursera the highest profile US transaction in 1H 2019, led by SEEK out of Australia.
Seasonally it is the second half of the calendar year when we see the volume of $5m+ VC rounds increase. 2H 2019 will either define 2H 2018 as an outlier or increase confidence that these investment patterns are sustainable and establish a 'new normal'.
