Where EdTech Is Headed, Insights from FETC 2026

We traveled to Orlando to attend the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) 2026, where the energy on the show floor reflected an education technology landscape that has clearly moved beyond experimentation and towards true implementation and adoption. Across exhibitors, product demonstrations, and industry conversations, the emphasis was on practical, scalable solutions designed to help instructors teach more effectively, districts operate more efficiently and better protect students.

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Several consistent themes emerged from exhibitor meetings, product demos, and broader industry discussions:

• ‍AI is evolving from a buzz word feature to an embedded value-add. AI adoption was widespread, but true differentiation came from how it was deployed and ability to prove ROI. Rather than relying on open-source models, many vendors showcased AI models trained on proprietary datasets and embedded directly into their workflows, particularly within student engagement platforms, Student Information Systems (SIS), and cybersecurity solutions.‍
• Personalized, data-driven learning is moving to the forefront of student engagement. A clear shift toward immersive, engagement-focused learning environments was evident, with AI translating student activity into real-time insights for educators. Solutions ranged from proprietary aptitude assessments that identify individual learning patterns to AI-generated lesson plans that adapt classroom instruction and homework over time, signaling a meaningful move away from one-size-fits-all curriculum models.‍
• Procurement is pushing back on point-solution sprawl. Years of fragmented point solutions have created inefficiencies in both insight gathering and budgeting. Schools are increasingly favoring vendors that offer comprehensive suites over cobbling together multiple systems. In response to the numerous point solutions, new platforms are emerging that aggregate technology usage and procurement spending, giving IT leaders clearer visibility into where dollars are going, helping identify double spending, and optimizing costs.

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Coming out of FETC 2026, the direction of the Edtech market is clear: scale, integration, and defensible differentiation matter more than ever. As districts continue to simplify their vendor ecosystems and prioritize unified platforms, companies that already offer integrated solutions or have a credible path to building them are better positioned for sustained growth. For investors and operators alike, these dynamics are accelerating consolidation and shaping acquisition strategies across the education technology ecosystem.

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DISCLAIMER This presentation is intended for information and discussion purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional investment advice. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the participants individually and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, are not the opinion or position of Harbor View Advisors, LLC (“HVA”). The information in this presentation was compiled from sources believed to be reliable for informational purposes only. HVA does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented.