BOSTON, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator, the leading edtech startup program, is excited to announce the opening of applications for its 2025 Breakthrough to Scale program. Breakthrough to Scale offers a unique opportunity to accelerate growth through tailored mentorship, milestone-based funding, and connections to a robust network of industry experts and investors.

LearnLaunch is looking to invest in early-stage, mission-driven, growth-oriented startups in K12, Higher Ed, Workforce Development, and Lifelong Learning that are ready to take the next step in scaling and driving impact. The program is ideal for companies with a working product, demonstrated revenue traction, and a commitment to evidence-based innovation. Participating startups will receive an initial $50k investment, and have an opportunity to secure up to $150k in additional funding.

With a strong track record of empowering edtech companies, LearnLaunch continues to advance early-stage startups ready to scale their impact in K12, higher education, and workforce sectors. The 86 companies backed by LearnLaunch since 2013 have collectively impacted over 50 million learners worldwide, and have raised more than $275 million in additional capital.

The application process includes a mandatory information webinar to gain insights into the program and guidance on submission requirements. Applications are open through February 21st, and the program will kick off at the end of May.

“The edtech market landscape continues to evolve, with investors prioritizing scalable, evidence-based solutions,” said Tetyana Astashkina, General Partner at LearnLaunch. “Our milestone-based funding model and expert guidance help companies navigate this dynamic environment while refining their go-to-market strategies and developing an in-depth understanding of impact and AI requirements.”

As artificial intelligence transforms education, startups leveraging AI for personalized learning, automation, and real-time data insights are well-positioned to thrive in the evolving edtech landscape. This year’s program will continue to emphasize AI-driven solutions grounded in learning science including tools for measuring learning outcomes, and innovations in skills development and workforce readiness.

To learn more and apply, visit learnlaunch.com/our-program-2 or email info@learnlaunch.com.

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SOURCE LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator

BLUE ASH, Ohio, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — High Peaks Solutions (HPS) has introduced SummIT Guide™ , an easy-to-use AI-powered tool that improves staff productivity while making third-party risk assessments faster and more insightful.

Third-party risk assessments have traditionally been long, drawn-out processes that monopolize the time of highly paid staff while frustrating those waiting for the analysis to be completed. Using the power of AI, SummIT Guide™ analyzes third-party provided documentation in seconds and provides insights and recommendations on how effectively risk is managed and mitigated by the third party. The insights and recommendations are seamlessly integrated into the SummIT Third-Party Risk Management module in a simple and straightforward way to boost the productivity of the risk analyst. 

In addition to driving staff productivity and improving the risk assessment process, SummIT Guide™ also shortens the risk assessment timeline, allowing companies to accept, onboard, and get to work with their third-party sooner. 

“SummIT Guide™ is classic innovation – a faster, better and more efficient product that is in lockstep with HPS’s mission to simplify the unnecessarily complex,” said HPS Founder and CEO Joe Robinson. “Assessing third-party risk is critical for companies in all industries. SummIT Guide™ improves the process dramatically.”

SummIT Guide™ is designed to fit seamlessly into HPS’s SummIT Platform, an automated platform that redefines and simplifies the management of complex governance, risk and compliance programs.

About High Peaks Solutions
High Peaks Solutions helps companies simplify and improve the evaluation and reporting of their governance, risk and compliance (GRC) efforts. HPS’s SummIT Platform is a purpose-built, innovative, automated platform that redefines and simplifies the management of complex GRC programs. The HPS Consulting Services Team helps clients assess and simplify their enterprise strategies, build execution plans and report out to senior management and Board of Directors. HPS works with companies across multiple industries, from banks and manufacturers to quick-serve restaurants and transportation providers.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/high-peaks-solutions-introduces-summit-guide-an-ai-powered-tool-that-improves-productivity-and-makes-third-party-risk-assessments-faster-and-more-insightful-302346307.html

SOURCE High Peaks Solutions

RESTON, Va., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC) are excited to announce the official launch of the Commerce & Contract Management Institute (CCM Institute), a globally focused research institute dedicated to setting higher standards for buying and selling practices across all industries and sectors.

Co-founded by NCMA and WorldCC, CCM Institute’s mission is to elevate global commerce and contracting by providing practical, data-driven research that influences policy and enhances the way goods and services are exchanged. Through its work, CCM Institute will deliver cutting-edge insights that drive real, measurable improvements in both private and public sector contracting.

Vision and Purpose
The vision for CCM Institute is clear: To apply research and insights that shape policy and practice globally, delivering better outcomes for society. With this vision, the Institute’s purpose is to empower, elevate, and advance the profession through knowledge and insights. By focusing on real-world challenges and shaping standards and practices, CCMI seeks to foster more efficient, inclusive, and trustworthy commercial relationships that benefit businesses, governments, and societies worldwide.

“We are thrilled to co-found this groundbreaking initiative,” said Sally Guyer, CEO of WorldCC. “CCM Institute will provide critical insights into commerce and contracting, helping to raise global standards. Together, we will drive positive change, building trust in business relationships, supporting social inclusion, and generating broad economic benefits.”

Kraig Conrad, CEO of NCMA, highlighted CCM Institute’s commitment to actionable research, saying, “CCM Institute is set to transform our approach to commerce and contracting. Our research will uphold rigorous academic standards while addressing real-world challenges. The insights we produce will drive better outcomes in both public and private sectors, raising global contract management standards.”

CCM Institute will be led by Tim Cummins, President of WorldCC, who will serve as Executive Director. Under his leadership, CCM Institute will advance research that delivers actionable standards and practices, aiming to improve global approaches to the exchange of goods and services.

This initiative represents the latest step in the strong collaboration between NCMA and WorldCC, formalized in 2023. In addition to CCM Institute, the two organizations are also co-authoring the 4th edition of the Contract Management Standard® and have recently completed research benchmarking public sector contracting.

About Commerce & Contract Management Institute (CCM Institute):
The Commerce & Contract Management Institute seeks to improve the world through higher standards in buying and selling. Through rigorous, practical research and insights, both relevant and useful, they shape global policy and practice.

CCM Institute helps society by driving up standards for the exchange of goods and services, resulting in better trading outcomes in both the private and public sectors.

As a not-for-profit organization, CCM Institute was founded, and is supported, by World Commerce & Contracting and National Contract Management Association.

For more information, please contact:

Kate Hodgins, Head of Marketing, WorldCC, 388551@email4pr.com
Holly DeHesa, Director of Marketing and Communications, NCMA, 281-865-3296, 388551@email4pr.com

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SOURCE National Contract Management Association