How Private Capital Is Unlocking Educational Innovation and Impact

Recorded live at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Fernando Bleichmar, CEO at Risepoint; Chris Lynne, President at University of Phoenix; Jeffrey Conlon, Chief Executive Officer at Unitek Learning Education Group, LLC; Elizabeth Chou, Partner at Leeds Illuminate; and Adnan Nisar, Senior Partner and Co-Head of Knowledge and Learning Solutions at The Vistria Group.The speakers explored how the greatest needs in education often exist within the most regulated spaces, where structural barriers can leave major opportunities for impact frustratingly out of reach for private investors. They discussed how federal funding restrictions on non-degree programs, evolving compliance requirements, and broader regulatory complexity have historically pushed private capital away from education and economic mobility sectors.The session examined how investors and operators are finding ways to break through these barriers through innovative delivery models in underserved communities, technology platforms bridging education and employment, and strategic approaches to navigating policy constraints. Through this conversation, the panel unpacked not only where private capital can invest in education, but also how to navigate regulatory complexity while creating meaningful pathways to opportunity and long-term impact.