Navigating ESAs with Odyssey: Joe Connor's Mission to Make Education Accessible

Send us Fan MailJoe Connor is the CEO & Founder of Odyssey, a company that partners with state agencies to administer school choice programs. Odyssey currently serves over 140,000 students by helping them access more than $400 million in state funding for education. Joe started his career as a teacher and school leader at the KIPP and Rocketship Education school networks. After working in schools for several years, Joe attended law school where he focused his research on private school choice and education policy. Joe practiced litigation while advocating for education choice, including working on Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, a landmark school choice case. Joe previously founded SchoolHouse, a private school network before founding Odyssey. He has also worked as legal counsel for Match Education, AltSchool, the Notre Dame Ace Academies, and Primer.Recommended Resources:💰 Odyssey resources on ESAs🌐 Edchoice.orgInnovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.