Penn GSE and Milken Family Foundation Announce Finalists for Prestigious Global Education Venture Competition

PHILADELPHIA, August 10, 2026—Catalyst @ Penn GSE—a global center for education innovation and impact at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE)—and the Michael and Lori Milken Family Foundation have announced the seven finalists for the 17th annual Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition (EBPC), one of the world’s leading competitions for education ventures. The 2026 Finals mark the first time the competition will be held in conjunction with Penn GSE's Catalyst Innovation Summit, creating a full-day gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, educators, researchers, and leaders from across the education sector.

Selected from a highly competitive pool of ventures from around the world, this year's finalists are advancing bold solutions to some of education's most pressing challenges. Their work addresses key areas – and major trends shaping education innovation – including workforce readiness, literacy, student engagement and success, equitable access to education, and AI-powered teaching and learning. Collectively, they represent the growing role of entrepreneurship in developing scalable solutions for education systems around the world.

The 2026 finalists are: Brikap, CreatED, Literacy Tree, Metaschool AI, The Commons, Unified Track, and WHIT Education. These innovators will compete for cash and prizes at the live pitch event on Monday, September 14, at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The competition is free and open to the public, though space is limited. Register to attend the EBPC Finals. For the first time, the Finals will take place immediately following the Catalyst Innovation Summit, creating a full day dedicated to education entrepreneurship and innovation.

"The future of education depends on innovators who are willing to challenge convention and build solutions grounded in both evidence and impact. This year's finalists exemplify that spirit," said Michael Golden, Vice Dean of Innovative Programs and Partnerships, who leads Catalyst @ Penn GSE. "By bringing together the Catalyst Innovation Summit and the EBPC Finals, we're creating a unique forum where the people shaping the future of education can connect, learn from one another, and accelerate their impact."

Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and well-funded competitions of its kind, the Milken–Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition has awarded more than $2 million in cash and prizes since its founding – and connected participants to researchers and entrepreneurs that move their initiatives forward. Past winners and finalists have gone on to raise more than $200 million in follow-on funding while expanding their reach and impact across education.

Finalists are selected through a cross-sector judging process that engages entrepreneurs, educators, investors, researchers, and education leaders. Before advancing to the Finals, semifinalists participated in Catapult, Catalyst @ Penn GSE's virtual accelerator, where they strengthened their business models, refined their pitches, and received mentorship from leaders across the education innovation ecosystem.

"This year’s finalists showcase the creativity and determination driving the next generation of education innovation," said John Gamba, Penn GSE Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Director of Innovative Programs. "Working alongside these founders has been incredibly rewarding. They've embraced feedback, challenged their thinking, and continued to strengthen solutions grounded in purpose and impact. Their vision, resilience, and commitment leave me incredibly optimistic about where education is headed."

The following ventures are the 2026 EBPC finalists:

Brikap—A workforce education platform helping adults outside the traditional education system build skills and improve job opportunities through accessible, self-paced learning.

CreatED—An innovation hub empowering high school students to develop research, build projects, and launch startups that address real-world challenges.

Literacy Tree—An evidence-based literacy program helping students close multi-year reading gaps while equipping schools to sustain long-term improvements.

Metaschool AI—An accredited online high school keeping Ghanaian students learning year-round through mobile-first instruction during disruptions caused by the country's double-track education system.

The Commons—A privacy-first software platform helping schools reduce phone distractions by automatically limiting access to distracting apps while supporting healthier technology habits.

Unified Track—A K–12 student success and revenue intelligence platform helping school districts improve attendance interventions while identifying and recovering funding tied to student attendance.

WHIT Education—An AI-powered teaching and learning platform helping educators strengthen instruction through formative assessment, real-time feedback, and greater visibility into student thinking.

The EBPC is made possible through the generous support of the Michael and Lori Milken Family Foundation, Flexion, Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC, and EdSales Revenue Machine.

The Milken family, several of whom are Penn graduates, embody the Ben Franklin spirit. Through successful educational entrepreneurship—from pre-K services through college education for working adults—as well as investments in educational enterprises, they have demonstrated a commitment to the leaders of tomorrow. In their four decades of philanthropic activities, the Milken family has made innovation in education—as exemplified by the Milken Educator Awards and National Institute for Excellence in Teaching—a cornerstone of their work.

Penn GSE is one of the world’s leading schools in education research and practitioner preparation. Penn GSE partners with schools, universities, and communities to expand educational access—especially for those underserved by society—and, through rigorous research and innovative programs, develops new knowledge and transformational teachers and leaders in pursuit of educational opportunity. Follow Penn GSE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Find more on educationcompetition.org or follow the conversation on LinkedIn: @CatalystPennGSE and #MilkenPennGSE.

Photo at top: Ghanaian students engaging with the Metaschool AI digital ecosystem. (Photo courtesy of Metaschool AI)