ETIH Innovation Hub: Best Global K–12 Learning Solution shortlist reflects shift to scalable impact

ETIHK12

14 Apr

A closer look at the platforms driving curriculum alignment, engagement, and measurable outcomes across global K–12 education.

As part of our ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 category spotlight series, we are taking a closer look at the shortlisted entries across this year’s program. In its first year, the awards received over 140 entries, reflecting both the scale and pace of change across EdTech.

The shortlist highlights a wide range of approaches to teaching, learning, and skills development, with winners set to be announced on May 11.

Where global K–12 solutions are delivering results

The Best Global K–12 Learning Solution category focuses on platforms and products making a measurable impact across primary and secondary education worldwide. This includes solutions aligned to curriculum standards, supporting teaching and learning at scale, and demonstrating strong adoption across schools and districts.

Judges are assessing how effectively each solution improves student outcomes, supports educators, and integrates into real classroom environments. This includes alignment with curriculum frameworks, evidence of engagement and progress, and feedback from teachers and students.

The category reflects increasing pressure on schools to deliver consistent outcomes while adapting to different learning needs. Platforms are expected to show how they scale across regions, support diverse learners, and translate into practical impact in the classroom.

Finalists

CheckIT LMS (Cleo AI Mentor)

CheckIT LMS is an AI-powered edtech ecosystem built to address student disengagement, reduce teacher overwhelm, and expand the role of AI beyond simple content automation. By merging neuroscience principles with advanced classroom management functionality, it helps create individualized learning experiences for K-12 students while simplifying lesson planning, scheduling, and grading for educators.

With Cleo, a neuroscience-trained AI mentor, CheckIT LMS transforms decades of neuroscience research into actionable strategies, making learning meaningful, personal, and inspiring. CheckIT LMS has a Responsibly Designed AI certification by Digital Promise and is committed to ensuring that technology honors children’s individuality and healthy brain development.

Efekta Education (Addi AI Platform)

Efekta's groundbreaking AI learning platform and learning companion, Addi, was launched to 4 million K-12 students and teachers across Latin America - the world's largest AI learning deployment to date. Built on the largest English language learning dataset, the platform combines cutting-edge AI with proprietary curricula and decades of pedagogical expertise.

With the plan to add 100 million more students, the platform improves learning outcomes, curriculum alignment and student adoption worldwide, transforming the K-12 education system and how students learn. Classroom teachers remain central to the learning experience - Efekta does not replace them but strengthens their impact.

Find Your Grind

Find Your Grind is a comprehensive K-12 future-ready learning platform reaching 500,000+ students across 250+ school districts in all 50 U.S. states. The platform combines a multi-year, standards-aligned career exploration curriculum with professional development for educators, creating a dual ecosystem that transforms how schools prepare students for the future.

With ESSA Tier 2 validated outcomes, 400+ career profiles, 350+ mentor stories from icons like Tony Hawk and Will.I.AM, and an AI-powered Reflective Coach, Find Your Grind integrates social-emotional learning with career readiness in a single, research-backed solution.

Google Research (AI Quests, with Stanford Accelerator for Learning)

AI Quests is a game-based learning experience developed by Google Research and the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. Designed for middle schoolers (ages 11–14), it transforms complex AI concepts into interactive, code-free quests inspired by real-world research, from predicting floods to mapping the human brain.

This initiative promotes active learning, equipping students with the literacy needed to responsibly build AI applications that address future societal challenges. Having already reached 200,000 students globally, we are now scaling to reach 2 million learners by 2026, preparing the next generation of informed digital citizens.

Learnetic (EdTool)

EdTool is a globally scalable, AI-supported, K–12, all-in-one learning platform designed to help schools and teachers deliver interactive, inclusive, and standards-aware learning experiences more effectively. Built by Learnetic, drawing on 20+ years of expertise in delivering 350+ education projects in 50+ countries, EdTool supports the full teaching cycle.

Teachers can create interactive lessons and tests from prompts, PDFs, or textbook photos, use 50,000+ ready-to-use STEM and SEN resources, and track progress with real-time analytics. The current repository supports NGSS curriculum and is designed to grow into multiple repositories aligned with different standards, languages, and markets worldwide.