WISE EdTech Accelerator

The WISE EdTech Accelerator anchors our edtech work, nurturing startups and fostering a global community committed to reimagining teaching and learning.

2026–2027 Accelerator Application

About the WISE EdTech Accelerator

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.

54+Alumni ventures
100+Hours of coaching & mentoring and 3 in-person bootcamps at major education conferences
15M+Beneficiaries impacted, across 130 countries

What do we offer?

Local Track (Qatar-Focused)
in collaboration with local partners, including Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Qatar Development Research Institute (QRDI), and others.
Unlock Your edtech Startup's Potential in Qatar's Thriving Education Ecosystem
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, offering you the opportunity to

Receive mentorship

From top industry experts and local innovators to tailor your product for the Qatari market.

Connect with key stakeholders

From top industry experts and local innovators to tailor your product for the Qatari market.

Participate in high-level networking events

Showcase your solution to a global audience of decision-makers and influencers.

Get quick access to local funding and grants via our partners.

offering world-class innovation hubs, and opportunities to accelerate your growth.

If you’re ready to transform education and establish a foothold in the Middle East, apply to the Local Track and become a part of Qatar's visionary future in education.

International Track

Scale Your edtech Solution Globally with the Support of a World-Class Accelerator
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. Each startup will receive tailored support, including

Leverage our global network

Of mentors, investors, and educational leaders to drive your product’s international growth.

Participate in high-level networking events

Showcase your solution to a global audience of decision-makers and influencers.

Gain expert mentorship

In product development, business strategy, and market expansion tailored to your unique needs.

Whether you’re aiming to disrupt the global edtech landscape or expand into new markets, the International Track will provide you with the tools and connections to scale faster and smarter.

WISE EdTech Accelerator cohort

What can you expect from our program?

Global Network

Some benefits of joining our 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 our 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

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.

Does the team have the ability to execute and deliver?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.

Target Startup Profiles

Stage

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

Geography

The Accelerator is agnostic to geography, with past cohorts including ventures from both developed and developing countries.

Impact

Startups must show proven traction and measurable impact within their operating markets. Impact is a key consideration in the selection process.

Business Model

The Accelerator targets for-profit ventures (NGOs and nonprofits are not eligible).

Sub-sectors

Ventures from a variety of educational subsectors, including K12, higher education, and professional development, are eligible.

Team

Preference for ventures with co-founders, as this promotes broader engagement across different areas of support.

Application Process

Applications open on Monday 28 September 2026 and close on Saturday 31 October 2026. All applications must be submitted through the Awards Force platform.

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

Timeline & Key Dates

Call for Applications Opens

28 September 2026

Full communications and outreach campaign begins. Open webinars held for prospective applicants throughout the CFA period. Applications submitted through the WISE application platform.

Applications Close

31 October 2026

Hard deadline — no submissions are accepted after this date.

Review & Selection Process

November – December 2026

WISE team conducts initial screening and eligibility review. A selection committee composed of leading experts in education and entrepreneurship reviews applications against the published criteria. Shortlisted applicants are invited for interviews.

Cohort Announcement

December 2026 / Early January 2027

4–6 selected startups are announced publicly. Notification of successful and unsuccessful applicants.

Program Begins

January 2027

Selected startups join the Accelerator program. Onboarding, initial mentorship matching, and program kick-off.

Accelerator Program

January – December 2027

Year-long bespoke program: 1-to-1 coaching, masterclasses with industry experts, and access to the global WISE network and international events. Startups are promoted across WISE platforms.

WISE 13 Summit Participation

Q4 2027

Accelerator cohort presents at the WISE 13 Summit in Doha. Visibility to 4,000+ attendees from 100 countries.

2025–2026 COHORT

Meet the eight selected edtech ventures who have recently joined the WISE EdTech Accelerator

Investor 1

AlGooru (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia’s leading tutoring hub, founded by Khalid W. Abou Kassem, Omer Awad, and Muhanad AlJaser. With 150,000+ sessions delivered, AlGooru connects learners to trusted tutors, making personalized learning simple and accessible.

Find Out More
Investor 2

Wonderly (Global)

Reaching classrooms across Latin America, the US, Europe, and the Middle East, Wonderly gives any teacher the tools to teach coding, data science, and AI—bringing digital education to millions.

Find Out More
Investor 3

Nyansapo AI (Africa)

Through its Hekima Learning App, Nyansapo AI helps teachers assess literacy and numeracy in real time, improving outcomes for over 23,000 learners. Built on local realities, its goal is to double learning outcomes across Africa.

Find Out More
Investor 4

iSchool (MENA)

As the MENA region’s largest AI and coding platform for K12 learners, iSchool has trained 131,000+ students in coding, game development, data science, and cybersecurity, building the next generation of tech leaders.

Find Out More
Investor 5

SkillUp MENA (MENA)

SkillUp MENA designs hands-on, practical learning experiences that go beyond theory, helping individuals and organizations build future-ready skills that stick.

Find Out More
Investor 6

Xertify (Global)

With 700,000+ users in 15 countries, Xertify offers AI-powered, blockchain-secured digital credentials, turning qualifications into trusted passports to global opportunity.

Find Out More
Investor 7

Musa (LatAm & Africa)

By transforming WhatsApp into a microlearning hub, Musa has reached nearly 500,000 learners with AI- and behavior science-based courses, making education accessible anytime, anywhere.

Find Out More
Investor 8

InvestEd (Philippines)

InvestEd provides smart student loans to ambitious Gen Z learners without credit history. With 10,000+ loans disbursed and repayment rates above 90%, they are unlocking education access at scale.

Find Out More

Our Committee Members

Yalda Aoukar

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bracket Capital

Mohammed Al-Emadi

Executive Director, Incubation & Venture Capital, Qatar Development Bank (QDB)

Prof. Rose Luckin

Founder & CEO, Educate Ventures Research; Professor Emerita, UCL

Dr. Chibeza Agley

CEO and Co-Founder, OBRIZUM

Nada Al-Olaqi

Senior Director, Innovation Development & Piloting Programs, Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI)

Dr. Michael Fung

Executive Director, Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey

Tokunboh Ishmael

Co-Founder and Managing Director, Alitheia Capital

Rwodah Al Naimi

Director of Investment, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD)

Knowledge Partners

Ed tech partner 1Ed tech partner 2Ed tech partner 3Ed tech partner 4Ed tech partner 5Ed tech partner 6

Strategic Partner

Qatar Fund for Development
Deadline: 31 October 2026

2026–2027 WISE EdTech Accelerator

Applications for the 2026–2027 cycle of the WISE EdTech Accelerator open on Monday 28 September 2026 and close on Saturday 31 October 2026.

For WISE EdTech Accelerator related queries, please contact accelerator@wise.org.qa

For media related queries, please contact media@wise.org.qa