GSV Cup 50 Founders to Take the Stage at ASU+GSV Summit—the Preeminent Global Event for Entrepreneurs, Investors, Philanthropists, Educators, and Workforce Skills Leaders, April 12-15, 2026, in San Diego
CHICAGO and NEW YORK and LONDON, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The GSV Cup, presented by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and GSV Ventures and supported by Pearson, is set to showcase the world’s leading innovators in digital learning and workforce skills at the upcoming ASU+GSV Summit. This premier event will take place from April 12-15, 2026, in San Diego, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and educators from around the globe.
Selected from over 3,000 global startup nominations, the 2026 cohort emphasizes a vibrant intersection of AI, education, and workforce development, representing five continents. Approximately 60% of these startups are tailored for global markets and are headquartered in countries such as the United States, Iceland, Australia, Switzerland, India, and Norway. The startups cater to varied educational sectors, with 38% focused on PreK-12 education, 16% on higher education, and 20% on workforce and adult learning, while 26% of the companies address multiple “PreK to Gray” age groups.
Francis Rosenberg, VP at ASU+GSV Summit, highlighted the significance of the GSV Cup, stating, “The GSV Cup spotlights the brightest stars of tomorrow across global EdTech. Not only is the Demo Day an annual highlight of the ASU+GSV Summit, but the Cup has become the premier launchpad for early-stage founders.”
Collectively, the cohort has raised over $177 million in funding and holds a combined valuation exceeding $264 million. Approximately 52% of these startups are currently seeking additional capital, with some already reporting annual recurring revenues of up to $10 million. The founding teams vary widely, from three-member startups to organizations with up to 40 employees, showcasing rapid growth dynamics across the cohort. Notably, two-thirds of the companies are led by underrepresented founders, which includes 34% with women founders and 44% led by founders of color.
For those interested in learning more about the GSV Cup and its innovative participants, a detailed list is available at https://www.asugsvsummit.com/gsv-cup.
About ASU+GSV Summit
The ASU+GSV Summit is recognized as the leading global gathering for entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, educators, workforce leaders, and policymakers who are driving transformation within the $8 trillion education and skills sector. Annually, the summit attracts over 7,000 attendees and has been a key platform for connecting ideas, communities, and capital since its inception in 2010. The mission of GSV Summit is rooted in the belief that equal access to the future is a right for all, emphasizing the importance of scaled innovations in education from PreK to lifelong learning. Further information is available at asugsvsummit.com.
SOURCE ASU+GSV Summit
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