Navigating the EdTech Landscape: Insights from Multiple Ventures

In this episode, Claire Riley, co-founder of Classroom Secrets, talks with Joshua, a seasoned entrepreneur in the education sector. Joshua shares his journey from children's publishing to running multiple education businesses, including Smartgrade and Carousel.

He highlights key lessons learned, such as the importance of understanding market size, unit economics, and the needs of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs). Joshua also discusses the significance of building a smart team, offering flexibility, and consulting with people with in-depth classroom experience.

He emphasises the value of learning from mistakes and seeking advice from experienced entrepreneurs.

00:00 Introduction to the Education Business Podcast

01:10 Meet Joshua: A Journey in Education Business

01:53 From Publishing to EdTech: Joshua's Career Path

04:56 The Birth of Smartgrade and Carousel 

06:53 Challenges and Strategies in EdTech 

16:53 Building a Strong Team and Company Culture

24:05 The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Future Plans

28:12 Final Thoughts and Advice for Education Entrepreneurs

 

All about Joshua:


Joshua is an edtech entrepreneur and assessment enthusiast. His latest ventures are Smartgrade (an assessment standardisation platform) and Carousel (a quizzing and retrieval practice tool).

Prior to Assembly Josh was part of the leadership team at Ark Schools, a Multi Academy Trust. He also founded Assembly, a school data platform.

In his spare time Josh writes a blog about school MIS and edtech called Bring More Data.

Website: smartgrade.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaperryuk/

Navigating the EdTech Landscape: Insights from Multiple Ventures
In this episode, Claire Riley, co-founder of Classroom Secrets, talks with Joshua, a seasoned entrepreneur in the education sector. Joshua shares his journey from children's publishing to running multiple education businesses, including Smartgrade and Carousel.
He highlights key lessons learned, such as the importance of understanding market size, unit economics, and the needs of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs). Joshua also discusses the significance of building a smart team, offering flexibility, and consulting with people with in-depth classroom experience.
He emphasises the value of learning from mistakes and seeking advice from experienced entrepreneurs.
00:00 Introduction to the Education Business Podcast
01:10 Meet Joshua: A Journey in Education Business
01:53 From Publishing to EdTech: Joshua's Career Path
04:56 The Birth of Smartgrade and Carousel&nbsp;
06:53 Challenges and Strategies in EdTech&nbsp;
16:53 Building a Strong Team and Company Culture
24:05 The Entrepreneurial Spirit and Future Plans
28:12 Final Thoughts and Advice for Education Entrepreneurs
&nbsp;
All about Joshua:
 Joshua is an edtech entrepreneur and assessment enthusiast. His latest ventures are Smartgrade (an assessment standardisation platform) and Carousel (a quizzing and retrieval practice tool).
Prior to Assembly Josh was part of the leadership team at Ark Schools, a Multi Academy Trust. He also founded Assembly, a school data platform.
In his spare time Josh writes a blog about school MIS and edtech called Bring More Data. Website: smartgrade.co.uk
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaperryuk/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaperryuk/</a>

The Education Business Podcast is for educational consultants, small education-based business owners, Edtech providers and workshop leaders focused on providing education services to schools, as well as for teachers transitioning to freelancing with an entrepreneurial business idea. Growing and scaling a business that provides a service to schools and education requires a different skillset and inside knowledge to many other entrepreneurial ventures. In this podcast Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets and host of The Teachers' Podcast, shares what it takes to market and pitch your services to this sector. Find out exactly what headteachers and teachers are looking for, and why building a personal brand matters in your marketing and how you can grow your education business.

The Education Business Podcast is for educational consultants, small education-based business owners, Edtech providers and workshop leaders focused on providing education services to schools, as well as for teachers transitioning to freelancing with an entrepreneurial business idea. Growing and scaling a business that provides a service to schools and education requires a different skillset and inside knowledge to many other entrepreneurial ventures. In this podcast Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets and host of The Teachers' Podcast, shares what it takes to market and pitch your services to this sector. Find out exactly what headteachers and teachers are looking for, and why building a personal brand matters in your marketing and how you can grow your education business.

The Education Business Podcast

Building a business in education can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.

Hosted by Claire Riley, founder of Classroom Secrets and passionate advocate for helping educators turn their expertise into thriving businesses, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical strategies, and the behind-the-scenes lessons from those already making an impact in the education space.

Each episode dives into the realities of running and growing an education business—from building sustainable income streams and navigating challenges, to embracing innovation and scaling with purpose. You’ll hear inspiring stories from fellow entrepreneurs, expert insights, and Claire’s own experiences of successes and setbacks along the way.

Whether you’re an aspiring edupreneur just starting out or a seasoned business owner looking for fresh perspective, this podcast will give you the tools, clarity, and encouragement you need to grow with confidence.

Tune in weekly to discover how to make your education business thrive while staying true to your mission of making a difference.

Building a business in education can feel overwhelming&mdash;but you don&rsquo;t have to do it alone.
Hosted by Claire Riley, founder of Classroom Secrets and passionate advocate for helping educators turn their expertise into thriving businesses, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical strategies, and the behind-the-scenes lessons from those already making an impact in the education space.
Each episode dives into the realities of running and growing an education business&mdash;from building sustainable income streams and navigating challenges, to embracing innovation and scaling with purpose. You&rsquo;ll hear inspiring stories from fellow entrepreneurs, expert insights, and Claire&rsquo;s own experiences of successes and setbacks along the way.
Whether you&rsquo;re an aspiring edupreneur just starting out or a seasoned business owner looking for fresh perspective, this podcast will give you the tools, clarity, and encouragement you need to grow with confidence.
Tune in weekly to discover how to make your education business thrive while staying true to your mission of making a difference.