EPISODE · May 2, 2026 · 39 MIN
Exit Velocity: What Makes EdTech Companies Acquisition-Ready
from ASU+GSV Summit Sessions · host ASU+GSV
Recorded live at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Rhys Spence, Head of Platform and Research at Brighteye Ventures; Ardis Kadiu, CEO & Co-founder at Andi AI, Inc.; Stephen Laster, CEO at Panopto; Jason Brein, Co-President at Francisco Partners; and Nate Laverriere, Managing Director at Moelis.The speakers explored how the M&A playbook for EdTech has fundamentally changed, with profitability, distribution, and defensibility now carrying greater weight than growth at all costs. They discussed how valuations have reset even as acquisition activity has accelerated, particularly as incumbents increasingly choose to buy rather than build AI-forward capabilities—seeking not only products, but also teams, technical talent, and speed to market. Drawing on firsthand experience from founders, acquirers, and market analysts, the session unpacked the metrics that drive valuations, the strategic advantages that command premium outcomes, and the common missteps founders make when preparing for an exit. The conversation highlighted the practical lessons and hard-earned insights that distinguish good outcomes from great ones in today’s evolving acquisition landscape.
What this episode covers
Recorded live at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Rhys Spence, Head of Platform and Research at Brighteye Ventures; Ardis Kadiu, CEO & Co-founder at Andi AI, Inc.; Stephen Laster, CEO at Panopto; Jason Brein, Co-President at Francisco Partners; and Nate Laverriere, Managing Director at Moelis.The speakers explored how the M&A playbook for EdTech has fundamentally changed, with profitability, distribution, and defensibility now carrying greater weight than growth at all costs. They discussed how valuations have reset even as acquisition activity has accelerated, particularly as incumbents increasingly choose to buy rather than build AI-forward capabilities—seeking not only products, but also teams, technical talent, and speed to market. Drawing on firsthand experience from founders, acquirers, and market analysts, the session unpacked the metrics that drive valuations, the strategic advantages that command premium outcomes, and the common missteps founders make when preparing for an exit. The conversation highlighted the practical lessons and hard-earned insights that distinguish good outcomes from great ones in today’s evolving acquisition landscape.
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Exit Velocity: What Makes EdTech Companies Acquisition-Ready
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