Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders (ETL) Jennifer Carolan (Reach Capital) - Seeking the Full Potential of Education [ETL Looks Back]
Oct 16, 2024
Jennifer Carolan, Co-Founder of Reach Capital and former science teacher, shares her journey from education to venture philanthropy. She emphasizes the importance of teacher involvement in EdTech innovation and discusses effective investment strategies. Steve Blank, a serial entrepreneur, adds insights on entrepreneurship's role in reshaping education. Together, they explore technology's impact on personalized learning, addressing equity challenges for low-income students, and the need for a shift from traditional learning models to mastery-based approaches.
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Yosemite Meeting
- Jennifer Carolan and Steve Blank first met in Yosemite while hiking.
- Carolan credits this meeting, where Blank first explained customer development, as influential in her career path.
Teacher to VC
- Jennifer Carolan transitioned from teaching to venture philanthropy after getting her MA in education.
- Exposure to customer development and entrepreneurship concepts during a meeting with Steve Blank sparked her interest in this new field.
NewSchools' Vision
- NewSchools Venture Fund, co-founded by Kim Smith, aimed to bring the venture capital model into education.
- This involved prioritizing impact alongside strong business practices, unlike traditional venture funds.