How Are EdTech Partners Driving Change from
Within?

There is no doubt that developing edtech products in 2025 presents both challenges and opportunities. The rapid advancement of AI capabilities is transforming everything, from what we create to how we develop it.

Investors regularly assess the marginal efficiencies from this shift, which are now becoming standard expectations for educators. With accessibility compliance deadlines in the UK and EU drawing near, these mandates are gaining even greater importance.

Among all the decisions leaders must make, one particularly significant one is the choice of partner. A single decision about who to partner with can have substantial effects on both innovation and competitive advantage within the market. To make these decisions effectively, we need to understand where they add value and how they connect with the entire ecosystem.

As I look back on 2024, I consider several scenarios, each serving as a signal for more comprehensive partner evaluation.

The Overlooked Risks In Partner Evaluation

In a market where buyers are pressed for time and face significant pressure, early conversations often determine success or failure. However, the reality is that there is no single approach to purchasing in edtech today.

For some teams, especially within traditional publishing organisations, the process is careful and calculated. These teams follow standard RFP cycles, invite multiple partners, allow time for questions, and assess each option thoroughly.

Conversely, for others—particularly within newer, more agile learning platforms the pace is different. There is often an expectation that partners should come already familiar with the needs, offering solutions that seem immediately relevant without requiring weeks of context building.

Yet, one truth remains consistent across both groups: internal teams are judged by how effectively they balance due diligence with timely decision-making.

At Magic EdTech, I have observed this firsthand: teams that become too absorbed in exploratory phases risk delaying the buying cycle. Conversely, rushing with assumptions or generic solutions can easily derail the process. Striking the right balance between asking the right questions and demonstrating immediate relevance is increasingly becoming a key skill in edtech procurement.

How Partners Can Help You Find Value

Partners today have a vital role in helping education companies derive real value from their AI and accessibility initiatives. Instead of merely supplying tools or content, the right partners can act as strategic allies and guide teams through complex decisions to foster meaningful outcomes.

They can help deliver better by assessing: which use cases are most practical, what internal capabilities need to be built, and how to structure for long-term adoption.

Here’s what Partners can bring to the table:

• A clear and grounded perspective on how AI can improve learning outcomes
• The ability to deliver integrated solutions that span content, technology, and platform needs
• A strong grasp of global education standards and accessibility requirements (WCAG, GCSCs, CBSE, and others)
• Real-world experience solving similar challenges under tight timelines and regulatory constraints

3 Steps In The Journey To Partner Success

For those aiming to make the right deals this year and in the future, it becomes essential to understand what’s practical, measurable, and built to last. Across markets, some consistent patterns are beginning to emerge among edtech teams that are successfully navigating this challenge.

• Pair AI Adoption with Internal Readiness. The best outcomes aren’t born from tech alone. They come from teams that bring partners in to accelerate what’s already in motion.
• Start treating accessibility as a core product requirement, not a retrofit. Last-minute compliance changes lead to partner churn. Early integration prevents that sort of disruption.
• Evaluate Partners based on their expertise and consultative depth, and not just their outputs. This includes looking for partners who can support both content and technology workflows and provide realistic guidance on what’s possible.

Despite its promise, the shift towards AI and accessibility reminds us of a core truth about technology: it’s not just about what a tool can do. It’s about how clearly, credibly, and quickly it can help us solve a real, urgent problem.

This is a highly strategic shift that requires alignment across product, procurement, compliance, and learning outcomes. It involves integrating these capabilities into the core operations of learning organisations and their growth. That’s the work we do every day.

At Magic EdTech, I have collaborated with education companies, including traditional publishers, learning platforms, and content developers, to assist them in moving from exploration to implementation. Whether it’s defining AI use cases, rethinking accessibility from the ground up, or preparing internally to adopt the right tools, we bring practical experience and a clear, measured perspective.

If your team is facing these challenges, we’re here to support you. Let’s identify what’s practical, what’s achievable, and what will bring results.