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!

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!

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!

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!