Top 10 EdTech Startups and Companies to Watch in 2026 in London UK, Europe, US, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Dubai UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, India and China

Executive Summary The global EdTech industry continues its remarkable growth trajectory, with investments rebounding strongly in 2024-2025 after a brief cooling period. As artificial intelligence reshapes educational delivery and personalized learning becomes the norm, a new generation of innovative startups is emerging across major technology hubs worldwide. This comprehensive guide highlights the top 10 EdTech startups and companies to watch in 2026, spanning London, Europe, the United States, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Dubai, Israel, Saudi Arabia, India, and China.

Rank	Company	Headquarters	Focus Area	Funding
1	Multiverse	London, UK	Professional Apprenticeships	$358.5M
2	Duolingo	Pittsburgh, USA	Language Learning	Public (NASDAQ)
3	Eruditus/Emeritus	Singapore	Executive Education	$1B+
4	BYJU'S	Bengaluru, India	K-12 Learning Platform	$5.5B+
5	Alef Education	Dubai, UAE	AI-Powered K-12	Government-backed
6	Yuanfudao	Beijing, China	Online Tutoring	$3.5B+
7	Labster	Copenhagen, Denmark	Virtual Lab Simulations	$100M+
8	Noon Academy	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	Social Learning Platform	$62M+
9	MondayHero	Tel Aviv, Israel	AI Coding Education	Series A
10	Top Hat	Toronto, Canada	Higher Ed Engagement	$130M+

1. Multiverse - London, UK (https://www.multiverse.io/) Multiverse stands as the UK's first EdTech unicorn with a valuation of $1.7 billion, revolutionizing professional apprenticeships across data science, digital marketing, and technology training. Founded in London, the company has raised $358.5 million to date and expanded operations to New York City, serving major enterprise clients including Google, Microsoft, and Verizon. The platform addresses the growing skills gap by providing alternative pathways to traditional university education, connecting young professionals with hands-on apprenticeship opportunities at leading companies. According to Beauhurst, Multiverse represents the gold standard for UK EdTech success, demonstrating the viability of apprenticeship-based learning models in the digital economy. 2. Duolingo - Pittsburgh, USA (https://www.duolingo.com/) Duolingo remains the world's most downloaded education app, publicly traded on NASDAQ with over 500 million registered users worldwide. The Pittsburgh-based company has pioneered gamified language learning, offering 40+ language courses through its freemium model. In 2025-2026, Duolingo continues expanding beyond languages into mathematics and music education, leveraging AI to deliver personalized learning experiences. According to HolonIQ, the company exemplifies how EdTech can achieve massive scale while maintaining educational effectiveness through adaptive learning algorithms. 3. Eruditus/Emeritus - Singapore (https://www.eruditus.com/) Eruditus, operating through its Emeritus brand, has raised over $1 billion to deliver executive education programs in partnership with 50+ world-renowned universities including MIT, Columbia, and INSEAD. Headquartered in Singapore with offices across the globe, the company targets mid-career professionals seeking upskilling without career interruption. The platform offers certificate programs, bootcamps, and degree pathways across technology, business, and leadership domains. According to Tracxn, Eruditus aims to achieve $1 billion in annual revenue by 2030, positioning itself as the global leader in professional continuing education. 4. BYJU'S - Bengaluru, India (https://byjus.com/) BYJU'S remains India's largest EdTech company with over 150 million registered students worldwide. Despite recent restructuring challenges, the Bengaluru-based platform continues to deliver K-12 learning content through engaging video lessons, interactive quizzes, and personalized learning paths. The company has expanded internationally through acquisitions including Great Learning, Aakash Educational Services, and Epic, establishing presence in the United States, UK, and Middle East markets. According to the Ministry of Education India, BYJU'S has played a significant role in democratizing access to quality education across rural and urban India. 5. Alef Education - Dubai, UAE (https://www.alefeducation.com/) Alef Education leads the Middle East's EdTech transformation with its AI-powered personalized learning platform serving K-12 students across the UAE and internationally. Backed by the UAE government and aligned with national education reform initiatives, Alef uses gamification and adaptive technology to enhance student engagement and outcomes. The platform has been adopted by the UAE Ministry of Education as a key component of the national digital learning strategy. According to UAE Ministry of Education, Alef Education represents a model for technology-enabled educational transformation in the Gulf region. 6. Yuanfudao - Beijing, China (https://www.yuanfudao.com/) Yuanfudao (now operating as Fenbi Education) stands as one of China's most valuable EdTech companies, having raised over $3.5 billion in funding. The Beijing-based platform offers online tutoring, homework assistance, and exam preparation services to millions of Chinese students. Following regulatory changes in China's tutoring sector, the company has pivoted toward adult education, vocational training, and international expansion. The platform leverages AI-powered teaching assistants and adaptive learning technology to deliver personalized educational experiences at scale. 7. Labster - Copenhagen, Denmark (https://www.labster.com/) Labster has revolutionized science education with its virtual laboratory simulations, enabling students worldwide to conduct experiments 24/7 without physical lab access. The Copenhagen-based company serves over 5,000 institutions globally, with strong presence across Europe and North America. The platform offers 300+ interactive lab simulations covering biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering disciplines. According to HolonIQ Europe EdTech 200, Labster exemplifies the growing demand for immersive learning technologies in STEM education. 8. Noon Academy - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (https://www.noonacademy.com/) Noon Academy has emerged as the Middle East's leading social learning platform, connecting students with peers and tutors across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the broader MENA region. Having raised over $62 million in funding, the Riyadh-based startup offers free group study sessions, gamified learning experiences, and live tutoring services. The platform aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 education transformation goals, leveraging technology to improve educational outcomes for millions of Arabic-speaking students. According to the Saudi Ministry of Education, Noon Academy represents a homegrown success story in the Kingdom's EdTech ecosystem. 9. MondayHero - Tel Aviv, Israel (https://www.mondayhero.io/) MondayHero leads Israel's contribution to EdTech innovation with its AI-powered platform for teaching coding and software development. Based in Tel Aviv, the company leverages Israel's renowned expertise in artificial intelligence to deliver personalized coding education. The startup represents the broader trend of Israeli EdTech companies focusing on technical skills training and workforce development. Israel's EdTech ecosystem has produced numerous successful exits and continues to attract significant venture capital investment according to Start-Up Nation Central. 10. Top Hat - Toronto, Canada (https://tophat.com/) Top Hat has transformed higher education engagement with its interactive classroom platform serving over 750 institutions across North America. The Toronto-based company has raised over $130 million to develop tools that enable professors to create dynamic, participatory learning experiences. The platform includes interactive textbooks, polling and assessment tools, and attendance tracking features. According to HolonIQ, Top Hat represents Canada's leading contribution to the global EdTech landscape, demonstrating the country's strength in educational technology innovation. Additional Notable Companies by Region

Region	Company	Focus Area	Website
Ireland	Learnosity	Assessment Platform	learnosity.com
UK	Century Tech	AI-Powered Learning	century.tech
USA	Coursera	Online Courses	coursera.org
Singapore	LingoAce	Language Learning	lingoace.com
India	Unacademy	Test Preparation	unacademy.com
China	VIPKid	English Tutoring	vipkid.com

Key EdTech Trends for 2026 The EdTech landscape in 2026 is shaped by several transformative trends. Artificial intelligence continues to drive personalization, with platforms like Century Tech and Magic School AI leading the integration of generative AI into educational workflows. Virtual and augmented reality technologies are gaining mainstream adoption, with Labster and TransfrVR demonstrating the potential for immersive learning experiences. Career-connected learning has emerged as a priority, with companies like Multiverse and Skillup creating direct pathways from education to employment. Mental health and wellness support is increasingly integrated into educational platforms, addressing the holistic needs of learners. According to HolonIQ, global EdTech investment is projected to continue its recovery, with AI-focused startups attracting the majority of funding. Conclusion The global EdTech ecosystem in 2026 presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation, with startups across every major market developing solutions to address critical challenges in education delivery, accessibility, and outcomes. From London's Multiverse revolutionizing professional apprenticeships to Saudi Arabia's Noon Academy democratizing education access across the Middle East, these companies represent the future of learning. Investors, educators, and policymakers should closely monitor developments in AI-powered personalization, immersive learning technologies, and career-connected education models. The companies highlighted in this guide demonstrate the breadth and depth of innovation occurring across the global EdTech landscape, positioning education technology as one of the most dynamic sectors for growth in 2026 and beyond. References Multiverse Duolingo Eruditus/Emeritus BYJU'S Alef Education Yuanfudao Labster Noon Academy HolonIQ 2025 Europe EdTech 200 HolonIQ 2025 North America EdTech 200