This #SWSWEDU session showed that student founders are not preparing for the real world. They are already building in it. Three impressive Gen Z founders discussed how they've tackled everything from peanut allergy detection and concussion monitoring to AR sports training and sustainable fashion. Their stories prove that entrepreneurship education works best when it moves beyond theory and into real problem-solving. A few standout takeaways: • Passion is the starting point, not the finish line. The strongest ventures began with a real person, a real frustration, or a real unmet need. That made the work feel urgent and credible. • Resilience is a learned skill. A recurring theme was hearing “no” from adults, investors, and judges — then refining the story, improving the product, and pitching again. Failure was framed as data, not defeat. • #Entrepreneurship builds durable career skills. Students described learning adaptability, audience awareness, networking, professional communication, and how to work without a script. Those skills matter far beyond startups. • #AI is a tool, not a substitute for thinking. The panel took a practical view: use AI to accelerate workflow, simplify data, and prototype faster, but do not outsource judgment or critical thinking. • Educators matter most when they create space to try. Students do not need more permission. They need mentors, exposure, and environments where they can build, test, fail, and try again. "Credibility doesn't come from age. It comes from execution." Speakers: Keri Kolettis, Vice President of Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Pine Crest School Mehak Gadh, Student, Vanderbilt University - PlayAR Rodney Henry, Student, Doral Academy Preparatory - DETECHT, PROTEGE Logan Schwedelson, Student, Pine Crest School - Allersense Decarb Learn more about this @SXSWEDU session: ow.ly/e0Wx50YrAfh Check out our full guide for social entrepreneurs: ow.ly/fBEV50YrAfg

Supporting #Women #entrepreneurs and funding women #founders is a top theme at #SWSWEDU 2026. On #InternationalWomensDay, learn about some @SXSWEDU sessions that will focus on this important topic. #IWD26 - Beyond Glass Ceiling–a Women’s Guide to Leadership in Edtech - How to Address Social Issues like a Startup: Girls in STEM - Exclusion to Empowerment: Women, Tech, & the Future of Learning - Leveling the Playing Field for the Collegiate Female Founder - Engineering Confidence: Raising Girls to Build Companies ow.ly/ZUbx50YqglF

It's time for #SXSW and #SWSWEDU... so, right now is THE perfect time to catch Greg Rosenbaum on #RemakeLearning's #podcast! Take in these 18 minutes before you head to #Austin. ➡️ slbradio.org/podcast/s9-ep9-… @RyanRydzewski @TylerSamstag @slbradio

If you're headed to #SWSWEDU 2026, be sure to check out our workshop where you will learn how to adapt toys🐶🧸into switch-accessible learning experiences & build mobile literacy📚 kits!

Excited about the prospect of joining Dr. Lindsay Whorton of @HoldsworthCentr to explore how schools can better support new teachers through shared leadership, coaching, and collaboration, models proven to boost teacher growth and student success. Consider casting your vote for our #SWSWEDU session! bit.ly/4oqrYnQ

Yes, the 412 is all over Austin for #SWSWEDU. And do you know where the 412 is also showing up BIG this week? New Orleans for #NCE2025! | @AASAHQ @remakelearning 🛫 Stirring up great possibilities for our learning landscape! ➡️ remakelearning.org/our-netwo…

#SWSWEDU 2025 conference starts today. Lots of great #AI and #socialimpact sessions to pay attention to.

Becky Calzada, also ALA Policy Corps member, and OIF's Betsy Gomez at #SWSWEDU. @UABookBans @OIF

Who's here and wants to connect and have a coffee. #SWSW204 #SWSWedu

📆 Add this to your @SWSWEDU must-see panel list! ETS's @karamcwilliams will join @hadip, @KristenDiCerbo and @southjoseph, to delve into the importance of utilizing #AI in education and adapting to our AI-driven world. bit.ly/3Mj8bFz #SWSWEDU #aiforgood

Two days left to vote in @SXSWEDU #PanelPicker! Vote by 8/20. Our session is "Driving Student Success Through Competency-Based Learning." Educator panelists will share specific shifts for educators that put learners in the driver’s seat. bit.ly/44eVTUW #CBL #SWSWedu

* "Supporting the Equity Officer in K12 Education" with our Mary Rice-Boothe (@mriceboothe) and Maurice Swinney (@docswin) of @Chicago_Beyond! Vote now: ow.ly/kYn450PyEsV #SWSWEDU

Please vote for our panel proposal for South by Southwest 2024 -- Unite Against Book Bans! Panel includes our star advocate Becky Calzada, member of ALA Policy Corps and our own staffer Betsy Gomez of ALA OIF. @LibraryPolicy @aasl @ALALibrary #SWSWEDU @UABookBans @OIF @becalzada

And Entrepreneurs, apply got the Launch competition @swswedu! Deadline late October

Thanks for sharing @JoelRGarza! VOTE! #SWSWEDU @SXSWEDU #cbl #competencybaseded #competencyed

🚸 #SXSW2023 took over the streets of #ATX last week and specifically focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices in its #SWSWEDU 4-day workshop. texasscorecard.com/state/tex…

This morning’s keynote @SXSWEDU with #frankgehry #doreengehrynelson & @hechingerreport got us thinking about @designbasedlearning and bringing joy and risk-taking back into the education equation! #swswedu #design

Our very own @lucyswedberg is speaking at @SXSWEDU on March 8th at 11:30am CT with @Whittier_Pres on fixing the lack of diverse leadership in #HigherEd. Attending the conference? Make sure to join this session: schedule.sxswedu.com/2023/ev… #RepresentationMatters #SWSWEdu #Conference

#dtk12chat friends at #SWSWEDU!

At #SWSWEDU today?! ✨ Check out @newprofit's session this afternoon!