LEAP Innovations names 13 edtech providers to 2026-2027 Design Collective

LEAP Innovations has selected 13 education technology providers for its 2026-2027 EdTech Design Collective, a national cohort focused on equitable, student-centered learning. The program connects startups and districts to help products improve through educator and student feedback, implementation support, and research-based alignment.

Why it matters: - LEAP Innovations says the Collective is meant to help edtech products better serve schools, educators, and learners. - The cohort is designed to connect research, classroom practice, and product development around equitable, student-centered learning. - Member tools and programming can help districts adopt and scale products with stronger implementation support.

What happened: - LEAP Innovations named 13 members to the 2026-2027 EdTech Design Collective on Sept. 10, 2026. - The nonprofit said the cohort was selected for its commitment to equitable, student-centered learning and ongoing product development. - This is the Collective’s third year. - The 2026-2027 members are Amira, EnglishHelper, KAITLab, Kira, Learning Portrait, Modern Classrooms Project, Teach to One from New Classrooms, OKO Labs, Playlab, Snorkl, Socrait, SpacesEDU and Thinkverse.

The details: - LEAP evaluated applicants on product maturity and reach, privacy and data security, evidence of learning impact, implementation quality, and commitment to personalized learning, engagement and co-design. - Each product also was assessed for alignment to the LEAP Learning Framework and LEAP Convergence Framework. - LEAP President Jessica Paulsen said the alignment process uses research and best practices to assess student ownership, learner agency, real-world relevance, and responsible integration into a district’s digital ecosystem. - Membership offers access to LEAP tools, coaching, feedback, connections with schools and districts nationwide, and possible integration into LEAP programming. - LEAP says its educator and student feedback loops help shape the edtech ecosystem around the needs and realities of classrooms.

Between the lines: - The Collective gives vendors a structured path to test and refine products with school users, which can be harder to get once a product is already on the market. - The emphasis on co-design and implementation suggests LEAP is focusing on whether products work in real classrooms, not just whether they sound innovative. - CEO Scott Frauenheim said the program acts as a bridge between research, practice and educational technology, and that LEAP and its K-12 partners see no comparable program elsewhere. - Co-Founder Jon Laven of Snorkl said LEAP has connected his team with schools and educators interested in how AI can support teaching and learning. - Chief Success Officer Aida Conroy of Modern Classrooms Project said the partnership helps translate learning science into what teachers can use day to day.

What's next: - The 13-member cohort will participate in LEAP’s feedback, coaching and school-connection opportunities over the 2026-2027 cycle. - LEAP said the member products may be considered for integration into its programming. - Schools and districts working on student-outcome improvements can continue to access LEAP member tools and support for implementation and scaling.

The bottom line: - LEAP is using the Collective to push edtech vendors toward products that are more evidence-based, more classroom-ready and more responsive to student needs.