Deadline: October 31, 2026
Applications are open for the WISE EdTech Accelerator 2026-2027. Since its inception, the WISE EdTech Accelerator has supported edtech founders from around the world in building and scaling innovative solutions to key challenges in education. Each year, WISE delivers a bespoke program that supports startup growth through one-to-one coaching, masterclasses with industry experts, and access to a global network of investors and education specialists.
The accelerator offers two tracks:
- Local track: The Local Track of the WISE EdTech Accelerator is designed for early stage startups (seed to pre-series A), ready to scale and enter the Qatari market. This track provides unparalleled access to Qatar’s rapidly growing education sector.
- International track: The International Track of the WISE EdTech Accelerator welcomes innovative, early stage startups (seed to pre-series A), from across the globe, offering an exciting opportunity to scale without the need to focus on any specific market.
Benefits
- Global Network – Some benefits of joining the WISE global network include:
- Access to an extensive network of investors and education specialists
- International visibility through partner events and the WISE Summit
- Become part of a community of edtech founders from 22 countries
- Coaching & Mentorship: A hand-picked team of experts specializing in
- Marketing, sales & fundraising
- Product strategy, development and roadmapping
- Market insights and positioning
- International Visibility – Selected ventures will have the opportunity to attend our international events and promotion on WISE global platforms including:
- Global events such as IFC Global Education Conference, Web Summit Qatar, London EdTech Week, and more.
- WISE social media platforms
- WISE Summit in Doha, convening over 4,000 attendees from 100 countries
Eligibility
- Open to startups beyond the MVP stage, with evidence of traction and sales. Typically, ventures are early stage (seed to pre-series A), having raised less than $500,000.
- The Accelerator is agnostic to geography, with past cohorts including ventures from both developed and developing countries.
- Startups must show proven traction and measurable impact within their operating markets. Impact is a key consideration in the selection process.
- The Accelerator targets for-profit ventures (NGOs and nonprofits are not eligible).
- Ventures from a variety of educational subsectors, including K12, higher education, and professional development, are eligible.
- Preference for ventures with co-founders, as this promotes broader engagement across different areas of support.
Selection Criteria
Each year, a committee of leading experts in education and entrepreneurship supports the WISE Accelerator team in the selection process. Applications are assessed against these criteria. The program has a 5% acceptance rate.
- Team Credentials: The Accelerator prioritizes ventures with co-founders rather than single founders. Co-founders bring diverse expertise across different areas such as product development, marketing, and sales. The team must demonstrate strong leadership and an ability to execute their vision, with relevant backgrounds in education, technology, or entrepreneurship.
- Innovation: The startup should demonstrate an innovative approach to addressing educational challenges. Solutions should be disruptive, leveraging technology to transform teaching and learning in meaningful ways. Unique product offerings, groundbreaking technology, or novel pedagogical approaches will be considered.
- Scalability: The venture must show potential for scaling regionally or globally. The solution should have the capacity to expand beyond initial markets and have a broader impact in different geographic contexts. Evidence of a growth strategy, market demand, and adaptability to different education systems is crucial.
- Financial Sustainability: The Accelerator seeks ventures with clear plans for long-term financial sustainability. This includes a viable business model, potential for revenue generation, and evidence of market traction (e.g., sales, fundraising). Startups must demonstrate financial planning, projections, and a path towards profitability.
- Impact: Education impact is a core focus. The venture should have demonstrated measurable impact in its target markets, with clear outcomes related to learning outcomes, educational access, or empowerment. Impact should align with the Accelerator’s mission of improving educational outcomes, particularly for underserved communities.
Application
Applicants will be required to complete the official online application form, in English, providing details including:
- The edtech solution and how it works
- The problem it addresses
- The target beneficiaries
- The motivation for joining the WISE EdTech Accelerator
For more information, visit WISE EdTech Accelerator.
