Gamechanger Sessions: The Future of Learning No. 8
Rebecca Kaden, Managing Partner at Union Square Ventures
Original livestream recorded on November 6th, 2020.
Rebecca Kaden is a Managing Partner at Union Square Ventures. She is deeply passionate about the future of learning. One of the core theses at USV is built on making education more affordable and creating better outcomes for students. Their education portfolio consists of edtech market leaders including Outschool, Duolingo, Quizlet, Codecademy, Skillshare, and more recently Sora.
Watch the video to learn more about:
Rebecca’s investing thesis for the future of learning and education?
What are the biggest pain points that need to be solved in learning and education today?
Why are virtual live learning platforms like Outschool thriving?
Key Moments
03:44 – On USV’s education thesis and some of the inefficiencies of the current education system
06:20 – On Rebecca’s late father’s passion for broadening access to education and how that’s also manifested her own interest in education
09:51 – How USV’s education thesis has evolved over the last decade
14:30 – On the strength and efficacy of online experiential learning platforms and tools
16:51 – On the structure of public school and how it can mislead kids into thinking they aren’t “built” for school
18:50 – Why the public school system is still very important especially for kids
20:13 – On the success of Outschool and other USV edtech investments during COVID and its long-term outlook
24:33 – The role monetization could come to play in public education with more outcome-based alternatives available
28:45 – On creator-led schools/courses and where they will fit in a future education system
30:14 – On the future of higher ed institutions
32:45 – Where alternative financing tools like Lambda’s ISA fit into the puzzle
34:18 – On the type of learning models that USV is really excited about
35:32 – How a social platform like Tik Tok carries a very important role in learning today
37:48 – Why a school like Sora that encourages passion projects for kids and tailored learning based on their interests is so powerful
40:29 – What Rebecca hopes to see in education in the next 5 years
41:13 – How USV evaluates learning platforms and other investments for their portfolio
Q&A from Gamechanger/Mastermind Audience:
44:11 – Where USV stands on 0-5 aged segment and direct to parent models
45:32 – How productized learning platforms like Duolingo can dramatically break down cost barriers
46:58 – On specific metrics USV analyzes when evaluating education startups
48:08 – On the role of government in the future of education
49:35 – On globalization’s impact on learning and how it creates opportunity
51:45 – 3 strong “loosely held” opinions Rebecca has on education in the future