PHILADELPHIA, January 14, 2026—The 17th Annual Milken–Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition (EBPC) is now open for applications, inviting education entrepreneurs to scale their most innovative ventures. Applicants for the 2026 competition will apply through Catapult, the Catalyst @ Penn GSE virtual accelerator, by February 11, 2026. Registration is free and provides access to over 4,000 articles, videos, and podcasts in the Catapult Content Hub, as well as expert mentorship and a global network of education leaders. Participants will advance solutions with the potential to transform teaching and learning worldwide.

The EBPC invites education and edtech innovators from around the globe to apply. Since its launch in 2010 at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), the competition has supported ventures addressing critical challenges across learning, workforce development, and access—awarding more than $2 million in funding to date.

“The education innovation landscape is rich with bold ideas and determined founders tackling some of the most complex challenges facing learners and institutions today,” said John Gamba, entrepreneur-in-residence at Catalyst @ Penn GSE and director of the EBPC. “The EBPC equips founders to refine their strategies, strengthen their business models, and turn ambitious ideas into ventures prepared to deliver real-world impact.”

Michael Golden, vice dean of innovative programs and partnerships at Catalyst @ Penn GSE, added: “For nearly two decades, the EBPC has propelled education ventures that create lasting, system-wide impact. By connecting founders to deep expertise, strategic partners, and a global innovation network, we help transform innovative solutions into measurable change across education ecosystems.”

Past winners illustrate the real-world impact of the EBPC. Rézme, founded by Jodi Anderson, Jr., won the 2025 Michael & Lori Milken Family Foundation Grand Prize for its compliance software platform helping justice-impacted individuals access employment, housing, and higher education. “The EBPC offers an unrivaled platform for entrepreneurs to refine their ideas, connect with mentors and peers, and gain visibility for their ventures,” says Anderson. “The experience has been invaluable in shaping our strategy and growth, and I would encourage anyone looking to make an impact in education to participate.”

Entrepreneurs worldwide are eligible to apply. Submissions are reviewed by a diverse panel of education leaders, investors, and industry experts, with proposals evaluated based on innovation, scalability, and potential impact on learners and institutions.

Selected semifinalists will participate in the Penn GSE Catapult virtual accelerator, gaining access to self-paced programming and mentorship from experienced practitioners across the education innovation ecosystem.

The 17th Annual Milken–Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition will culminate in a live pitch event in Fall 2026 (location TBD), bringing together finalists from leading education ventures to compete before a panel of industry experts.

The Milken family, several of whom are Penn graduates, embody the Ben Franklin spirit. Through successful educational entrepreneurship—from pre-K services through college education for working adults—as well as investments in educational enterprises, they have demonstrated a commitment to the leaders of tomorrow. In their four decades of philanthropic activities, the Milken family has made innovation in education—as exemplified by the Milken Educator Awards and National Institute for Excellence in Teaching—a cornerstone of their work.

About Penn’s Graduate School of Education
Penn GSE is one of the world’s leading schools in education research and practitioner preparation. Penn GSE partners with schools, universities, and communities to expand educational access—especially for those underserved by society—and, through rigorous research and innovative programs, develops new knowledge and transformational teachers and leaders in pursuit of educational opportunity. Follow Penn GSE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.


Find more on educationcompetition.org or find us on LinkedIn at Catalyst @ Penn GSE. 
 

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