
Upcoming Events
VELA is hitting the road to uplift and learn from our dynamic community of education entrepreneurs, spark new conversations, and make new friends! Get the latest information on where we’ll be below.
Check back to see where we’ll be next.

Past Events
AERO Conference
The Education Revolution: What Will We Do
June 23-25 at Long Island University and online
Will you be at AERO this year? Join VELA staff and community members for a deep dive on our latest research and the many ways that entrepreneurs are growing and sustaining their programs.

Open for Business: The Economics of Unconventional Education
Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 12:30-1:30PM
VELA supports the largest community of everyday entrepreneurs in unconventional education in the United States, with over 2,000 investments made and $24 million disbursed since 2019. A recent survey of VELA’s grant recipients revealed the many unique ways that these entrepreneurs are growing and sustaining their community-responsive programs. Hear from the entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders who are catalyzing innovation in K-12 education and explore one-of-a-kind insights into the rapidly growing unconventional education market. Learn more here!
Kennesaw State University 2023 National Hybrid Schools Conference
April 28-29 in Atlanta, Georgia
Will you be at the National Hybrid Schools Conference this April? Join us on Friday, April 28th for a meetup co-hosted by Omella, on Saturday, April 29th for breakfast with the National Microschooling Center, and be sure to attend the panel about our latest research! Get all the details below.
VELA & Omella Hybrid Schools Conference Meetup
Date: Friday, 4/28
Time: 8:00-10:00 pm
Location: Bonefish Grill, 2997 Cobb Parkway, Atlanta (4 min drive and 12 min walk from the Waverly Hotel)
Join VELA and Omella for free drinks and snacks on Friday night! Come hangout and meet other entrepreneurs in the education space. It doesn’t matter if you run a microschool, hybrid school, homeschool or are just thinking about getting into the space. This is an informal event to connect with other leaders in the community and to share your own experiences. Space is limited, so be sure to register here.
National Microschooling Center and VELA Breakfast
Date: Saturday, 4/29
Time: 7:30 – 8:30 am
Location: Ansley Room, 2nd Floor of Waverly hotel
Join the National Microschooling Center and VELA for a breakfast meeting open to all conference attendees who are microschool founders, leaders, and educators, or those who have interest in microschools.

Open for Business: The Economics of Unconventional Education
Saturday 4/29 from 10:15am-11:15am
VELA supports the largest community of everyday entrepreneurs in unconventional education in the United States, with over 2,000 investments made and $24 million disbursed since 2019. A recent survey of VELA’s grant recipients revealed the many unique ways that these entrepreneurs are growing and sustaining their community-responsive programs. Hear from the entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders who are catalyzing innovation in K-12 education and explore one-of-a-kind insights into the rapidly growing unconventional education market.
Learn more here!
VELA at ASU + GSV Summit 2023
April 17-19 in San Diego

Presented by VELA-Web3 and Non-Traditional Education: Ownership in Philanthropy and Beyond
Monday, 4/17 from 1:00-2:00pm in Hillcrest B, Level 3
Bottom-up solutions led by everyday entrepreneurs have the potential to be transformed when these leaders have decision-making power over funding. VELA Education Fund is piloting a DAO experiment in collaboration with Civics Unplugged and DreamDAO, which was behind the ConstitutionDAO campaign in Fall 2021. The VELA DAO will create a space for shared values, goals, and responsibilities.
Learn more here!

The “Exhausted Majority:” Microschools and Parent Power in K-12
Monday, 4/17 from 2:50-3:30pm in Coronado B, Level 4
On the heels of the pandemic, parents are clamoring for greater ownership over their children’s K-12 voyage: more than 50% prefer to direct and tailor their child’s experiences and 80% believe learning can and should happen everywhere. How can we invest in a more equitable and student-centric K-12 ecosystem that gives parents the programs and tools needed to realize these aspirations? From blended learning models to micro schools and enrichment services, the field has never been as ripe for innovation as it is now.
Learn more here!
VELA at SXSW EDU 2023
March 6-8 in Austin, Texas
Thanks for joining us at SXSW EDU this year! Click on the links below to watch our panels. We’re already excited about next year!
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Insights from the Out-of-System Space
Tuesday, March 7th
11:30am-12:30pm in Salon C at the Hilton Austin Downtown
Families have been doing “school” differently for decades, and the pandemic accelerated this movement even more. Whether through homeschooling, microschools, virtual options, co-ops, or a combination, more and more families are pursuing models aligned with their values and priorities. With all the recent talk of changes in education, what’s really happening outside of the traditional classroom? VELA Education Fund recently released a report surveying over 400 providers in the out-of-system education space. Hear from practitioners about successes, barriers, and lessons learned. WATCH IT HERE!

Building Education Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
Tuesday, March 7th
1:00-2:00pm in Salon C at the Hilton Austin Downtown
From Wichita, Kansas to South Florida to Metro Atlanta, education entrepreneurs are mobilizing their peers for collaboration, cooperation, and support. As any entrepreneur knows, starting a business can be a lonely endeavor. For educators, many of whom are transitioning from traditional school systems to start their own learning environments, entrepreneurship presents many hurdles. VELA’s grant recipients have created dynamic, thriving communities around the country to get better together, and others can learn from these growing ecosystems. WATCH IT HERE!
Keep updated on where we’ll be!
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