InformED – Proof of Concept

An initiative to boost the local EdTech ecosystem.

The Proof of Concept (PoC) program is a structured collaboration that positions schools and educators as essential contributors to the development of high-quality EdTech solutions.

Partner with EduGrowth alongside the City of Melbourne

Participate as an Innovation Partner in a structured, supported Proof of Concept Sprint designed to improve the quality and relevance of EdTech tools through real classroom insight.

This is a bounded 6–8 week collaboration focused on structured trial, feedback, and reflection — not procurement or long-term commitment.

As part of this partnership, participating schools will receive tangible value in return for their time and expertise. This may include professional learning for staff in the EdTech sector, EdTech leaders participating in a student career session, continued access to the trialled tool following the initial engagement (scope agreed in advance), and a written summary of key findings relevant to the school’s own context.

Contribute Educator Insight

 

Educator participation ensures that educator voice directly informs product refinement and supports the responsible development of EdTech solutions grounded in real classroom needs.

Schools will:

  • Participate in structured surveys and/or focus groups

  • Provide implementation reflections and practical feedback

  • Highlight opportunities, barriers, and contextual consideration

In return, schools will receive:

  • A concise summary of implementation insights surfaced during the Sprint
  • An invitation to brief ongoing advisory check-ins into the future
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Program Visibility And Profiling For Your School

Participating schools will work with EduGrowth to define, and approve, a communication plan that reflects their partnership and contribution, including:

  • Acknowledgement as Innovation Partners in program communications
  • Profiling in communications outputs – case study, web posts and social media mentions
  • Be positioned as forward-thinking contributors to sector-wide innovation
  • Participate in a co-branded case study suitable for use in their own newsletters, annual reporting, and community communications to showcase your innovation
Register your EOI
Download the Education Partner Outline

Over 6–8 weeks, EduGrowth connects innovative schools with carefully selected EdTech companies to trial new tools in authentic learning environments.

Effective digital tools are shaped by educator expertise. Through structured feedback, workshops, and reflection, participating schools bring their professional insight directly into the EdTech ecosystem — influencing product design, implementation approaches, and real-world relevance.

Participation signals that your school is not simply adopting innovation, but actively shaping it. Schools are profiled as forward-thinking leaders in sector improvement, demonstrating commitment to responsible and practical adoption of new technologies.

Through the PoC process, schools contribute meaningfully to the development of better EdTech tools, showcase their innovation capability, and reinforce their reputation as sector leaders, while ensuring that future EdTech solutions genuinely reflect classroom and learner realities.

 

Your Role as an Education Partner

Participate in a 6–8 Week Proof of Concept Sprint

Education partners will:

  • Choose from the possible projects to trial an EdTech solution within a defined classroom or learning context that connects to your innovation agenda
  • Nominate participating educators and agree on a clear scope of use
  • Engage in structured feedback processes – surveys, roundtables or design sprints
  • Contribute insight into usability, implementation realities, and classroom relevance

The emphasis is on authentic use and professional reflection, not evaluation or endorsement.

Expected Time Commitment

 

Schools may participate in activities including – 

  • Participation in trial activities during the 6–8 week Sprint
  • Active participation in structured feedback – surveys, focus groups or design sprint workshops 
  • Attendance at launch event and innovation symposium – in Melbourne CBD
  • EdTech providers will support the School with a range of additional components – Student Career session or Teacher Professional Development or other activities by agreement

 

Proof of Concept Sprints Available

This is highly targeted program, the PoC Sprints included in this iteration of the program include

Sprint 1:

High Impact Teaching Strategy Alignment

EdTech Company A is aligning its Teacher Professional Learning platform with state-adopted high impact teaching strategies. This Sprint engages 1–2 school leaders (Head of Teaching and Learning or Principal) to co-design teacher and student surveys that capture implementation insights.

Sprint 2:

Feedback and insights on AI generated translations

EdTech Company B has a well used tool that supports early learners developing reading skills.  The company seeks to understand teacher, student and parent acceptance of AI generated translations for EAL Students.

Sprint 3:

CoDesign an AI Coach for Teachers

EdTech Company C seeks to codesign, and validate, the development of an AI Coach for Teachers.  The company sees an opportunity to support teachers with coaching and mentoring in a safe and supported AI environment.

InformED Partnership

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this cost anything for the school? Are we expected to purchase the product?

There is no cost to participating schools.

Schools are not expected to purchase the product at any stage during or after the Proof of Concept Sprint. Participation does not create any procurement obligation or ongoing commitment.

This is a structured collaboration focused on insight and co-design — not sales.

How much time will this require from school staff?

Each Proof of Concept Sprint is slightly different, and detailed expectations will be provided before participation is confirmed.  

As a guide, schools should allow approximately one hour per week for 5–7 weeks for participating staff. This includes trial use, structured reflection, and feedback activities.  We envisage a 1-3 teachers from your school might participate in the program.

We hope schools also choose to attend:

  • The Program Launch Event
  • The Innovation Symposium 

Participation is designed to be bounded, practical, and respectful of workload.

How will our school benefit from participating?

Participating schools:

  • Showcase their essential role in shaping education innovation
  • Strengthen their reputation as forward-thinking and innovation-ready
  • Build direct connections with EdTech leaders and innovators
  • Influence the design of tools that may be used across the sector
  • Provide meaningful professional voice to the development of responsible technology

This is an opportunity to help shape better tools for teachers and learners, whilst ensuring the broader education sector sees your leadership and learns from your example

Who are the participating EdTech companies? Are they reputable?

The participating companies are established and respected EdTech leaders with a demonstrated commitment to responsible innovation in education.

They are seeking to work with schools that see innovation as part of their professional identity and are committed to practical, evidence-informed development.

EduGrowth carefully selects companies that align with the program’s standards of professionalism, transparency, and collaboration.

How is student and school data protected?

In this round of Proof of Concept Sprints, no student data will be collected or shared as part of the program.

Some projects may not require the collection of any personal or identifiable data at all. Where feedback is gathered, it will typically be de-identified and focused on educator experience, implementation insights, and usability reflections.

All participating EdTech companies are fully compliant with Australian education data privacy, security, and data sovereignty requirements.

Each company has completed the Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) assessment process and meets the relevant standards for operating within Australian school environments.

Before commencing a PoC Sprint, schools will receive clear information outlining the specific data practices (if any) relevant to that project so leadership teams can make informed decisions.

Will our school be involved in publicity or communications activities?

Yes — as part of the program, participating schools are invited to contribute to agreed communications activities that highlight their role as Innovation Partners.

This may include:

  • Inclusion in program announcements
  • Contribution to a case study or short written profile
  • Participation in a launch event or Innovation Symposium (optional)
  • Approval of quotes or reflections about the experience

We will define branding and key messages with you, and actively engage you in the communications plan. 

The intent is to profile participating schools as forward-thinking leaders in responsible innovation – recognising the essential role educators play in shaping high-quality EdTech.

Participation in publicity activities is aligned to your school’s comfort level.

Register your Expression of Interest

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Which concept spring opportunity is most relevant to your school?

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Program subject to change at the discretion of EduGrowth

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