NextEdu starts third edtech acceleration programme in Turin with 10 startups

NextEdu, a European acceleration programme for education technology startups, began its third edition at the OGR Tech innovation hub in Turin, Italy, on October 29, 2025, according to an announcement published by Fondazione CRT the following day. Ten startups were selected, seven from Italy and three from outside Europe. The programme, described as lasting four months, was set to run until February 11, 2026, and to close with an international demo day for investors.

The Italian cohort included three Turin companies: Experta Business Solutions, which offers a free modular Excel course; PRC Multimedia, maker of an Italian-language learning app for migrants and second-generation students; and VirtuaMentis, which lets trainee psychologists practise with AI-simulated patients. The other Italian participants were Boosted AI, Minerva AI, MemorAIz and SecureQuest, whose products range from teacher automation and AI lesson design to embeddable study modules and a virtual reality cybersecurity game. The international startups were Curans from Jordan, Newsreel Media from the United States and SimpleRead from Brazil.

The programme is promoted by Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita CRT, the impact-focused arm of Fondazione CRT, together with Finnish edtech accelerator xEdu and OGR Torino. When it opened the call in July 2025, Fondazione CRT said participants would receive coaching, specialist bootcamps, ongoing mentoring, workspace at OGR Tech and introductions to investors and strategic partners. Listed focus areas included adaptive and experiential learning, AI in teaching, microlearning, blended learning, accessibility tools for neurodiverse learners, corporate training and reskilling. In framing the call, the foundation pointed to estimates that more than $500 billion in skills development initiatives had been announced worldwide over the previous year.

According to Fondazione CRT, the first two editions of NextEdu accelerated 16 startups, supporting companies in e-learning, learning management systems, AI for education and inclusive learning and helping them gain visibility at events such as Slush. The 2025 edition opened with a keynote by Professor Pierluigi Sacco on the social impact of edtech companies and was linked to local initiatives including Torino Capitale dell'Innovazione.