EDTECH, GAMING & ENTERTAINMENT: WHAT’S NEXT?
International online event by Astra Global in association with Gold Ventures
22 March 2024 · Online · 17:00 CET (5:00 PM)
22 March 2024 · Online · 17:00 CET (5:00 PM)
About the Event
In 2024, education, gaming, and entertainment stopped being isolated industries — together they form a unified ecosystem competing for attention, content, and monetization. Against this backdrop, Astra Global and Gold Ventures hosted an international online event focused on the most promising projects at the intersection of EdTech, Gaming, and Entertainment.
Startups presented their solutions to a jury of leading experts and investors. All participants took part in in-depth jury sessions, where their projects received detailed professional evaluation. Following this stage, three winners were selected, gaining access to exclusive one-on-one meetings with venture investors.
Startups presented their solutions to a jury of leading experts and investors. All participants took part in in-depth jury sessions, where their projects received detailed professional evaluation. Following this stage, three winners were selected, gaining access to exclusive one-on-one meetings with venture investors.
EVENT FORMAT
• Startups Battle — project presentations and jury evaluation.
• Investors Panel — discussion of global trends shaping EdTech, Gaming, and Entertainment.
• Individual Pitching Sessions & Q&A — in-depth sessions with the jury for all startups; exclusive investor meetings for the three winners.
• Investors Panel — discussion of global trends shaping EdTech, Gaming, and Entertainment.
• Individual Pitching Sessions & Q&A — in-depth sessions with the jury for all startups; exclusive investor meetings for the three winners.
CONCEPT
EDTECH, GAMING & ENTERTAINMENT: WHAT’S NEXT? highlighted the strategic role of digital education, gaming ecosystems, and entertainment technologies in the global economy. The event demonstrated how these sectors are converging to create new opportunities for innovation, monetization, and international expansion
MISSION
To support teams building the infrastructure of the new digital culture; to accelerate their access to capital; and to foster partnerships between content, technology, and distribution in order to scale innovation globally.
Project Selection
The jury evaluated projects based on the following criteria:
• Innovation & Disruption — ability to transform the market.
• Scalability & Market Fit — growth potential and product relevance.
• Business & Revenue Model — sustainability of monetization.
• Team & Leadership — expertise and leadership capacity.
• Technology Excellence — maturity and uniqueness of technology.
• Impact & Sustainability — long-term value and societal contribution.
• Presentation & Strategic Vision — clarity of strategy and persuasiveness of delivery.
• Regulatory Readiness — preparedness for compliance in regulated markets.
• Innovation & Disruption — ability to transform the market.
• Scalability & Market Fit — growth potential and product relevance.
• Business & Revenue Model — sustainability of monetization.
• Team & Leadership — expertise and leadership capacity.
• Technology Excellence — maturity and uniqueness of technology.
• Impact & Sustainability — long-term value and societal contribution.
• Presentation & Strategic Vision — clarity of strategy and persuasiveness of delivery.
• Regulatory Readiness — preparedness for compliance in regulated markets.
Key Discussion Topics 2024
• EdTech: the future of personalized and AI-driven learning.
• Gaming: new monetization models and the rise of immersive formats.
• Entertainment: convergence of streaming, interactive media, and VR.
• Investment trends: where capital is flowing in digital culture.
• Global perspectives: how EdTech and gaming are evolving across the USA, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
• ESG in entertainment: balancing growth, responsibility, and social impact.
• Gaming: new monetization models and the rise of immersive formats.
• Entertainment: convergence of streaming, interactive media, and VR.
• Investment trends: where capital is flowing in digital culture.
• Global perspectives: how EdTech and gaming are evolving across the USA, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
• ESG in entertainment: balancing growth, responsibility, and social impact.
SPEAKERS & JURY
- Elisabeth von LichemInvestor, Acton Capital. Invests in scalable and defendable business models in Europe and North America
- Gary FowlerCo-Founder, GSD Venture Studios. Serial entrepreneur and AI investor
- Katya KohenManaging Partner, 13 Ventures. Seasoned entrepreneur and VC investor based in New York, with a background in regulatory requirements, blockchain, and business strategy
- Tess HauGeneral Partner, Tess Ventures. Investor and advisor to high performing startups globally, deep tech companies, and extraordinary founders across the world
- Kristen PalmaVenture Partner, VU Venture Partners / Stimulo. Market innovation strategist that is dedicated to accelerating high capex sustainable solutions to advance the green economy
- Clara RicardAnalyst, Balderton Capital. Expert in early-stage start-ups
- Belieaev AlekseiProducer and game designer with over nine years of experience in the gaming industry, known for leading ambitious international projects reaching millions of players worldwide.
NOMINATIONS
In 2024, startups competed across three key categories:
- BEST STARTUP
- BEST PRODUCT
- BEST BUSINESS MODEL
WINNERS 2024
TESTIMONIALS
GENERAL PARTNER
AND CO - ORGANISER
AND CO - ORGANISER
PARTNERS 2024
