Why edtech must do more than deliver content

As AI and automation accelerate the new technological shift, a critical question has emerged: how do we ensure workers stay competitive and adaptable in a job market that’s constantly shifting? The answer lies not in traditional systems, but in a new generation of education technology (Edtech) platforms that blend flexibility, real-world relevance, and personalised learning.

Globally, the World Economic Forum estimates that 1.1 billion jobs are likely to be radically transformed by technology over the next decade. In Southeast Asia alone, where economies are rapidly digitising, the urgency is compounded by a young workforce and uneven access to quality upskilling. Here, EdTech isn’t just about digital classrooms or recorded lessons—it’s a strategic lever for economic resilience and social mobility.

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For Isaac Munandar, co-founder of Maxy Academy, the mission goes deeper than skills development. “EdTech must restore dignity, renew learning cultures, and ensure no one is left behind,” he says. Maxy Academy focuses on hands-on training, mentorship, and AI-powered job placement, aligning learning with actual labour market needs. It’s not just about getting people into jobs—it’s about ensuring those jobs lead to long-term growth and fulfillment.

Kar Wei Loh, founder of Hexcore Labs, echoes this sentiment from a more technical perspective. In fields like cybersecurity and AI, where the pace of change is relentless, traditional education models simply can’t keep up. “Gamification and real-world scenarios help keep learners engaged while tackling dry, technical content,” Loh explains. Her focus is on making advanced training scalable, accessible, and practical.

But the path forward isn’t without obstacles. The region’s fragmented education systems, inconsistent digital infrastructure, and investor scepticism—especially in the aftermath of the Tech Winter—pose major challenges. This is where accelerators like EduSpaze step in to fill the gaps and provide a footing for new startups to gain traction.

In this special feature, we speak with both founders to explore how edtech is evolving from a support system to a central driver of workforce transformation—one that’s increasingly defined by collaboration, customisation, and a human-first approach to learning in the age of machines.

As automation and AI reshape industries, what role do you see edtech playing in helping workers remain competitive and adaptable?

Isaac Munandar (IM): As automation and AI transform industries, EdTech must do more than deliver content—it must restore dignity, renew learning cultures, and ensure no one is left behind. EdTech bridges the skills gap by providing flexible, industry-aligned training that evolves with job market demands. Unlike traditional institutions, it adapts curricula in real-time, equipping learners with practical, future-ready skills.

Beyond technical skills, EdTech redefines the culture of work, fostering purpose, creativity, and agency rather than simply producing efficient workers. AI-driven personalisation tailors learning to individual career paths, ensuring a more meaningful and adaptable workforce.

MAXY Academy goes beyond education, offering hands-on training, mentorship, and job placement support to ensure learning translates into real career growth. By prioritising human flourishing over credentials, we empower individuals to step into their full potential.

In this way, EdTech isn’t just a tool for adaptation—it’s a catalyst for opportunity in the AI era.

Kar Wei Loh (KWL): Edutech drives innovation through Education and Technology to build accessible, flexible, and scalable learning solutions that help workers upskill in real time. A child’s learning journey is a critical process, and as industries involve Edutech can help us expose children and adults to different skill sets holistically to allow them to stay relevant with in-demand skills.

An example is our Hexcade Arena, where we deliver hands-on, industry-relevant training in cybersecurity and AI, empowering professionals to stay competitive and adapt to rapidly evolving job demands, especially so in such a fast-moving industry like tech.

Many of the startups focus on bridging the gap between formal education and employment. What are the key challenges in making education more aligned with industry needs?

KWL: One major challenge is the speed at which industries, particularly tech, evolve. To stay relevant, training must be practical, continuously updated, and focused on real-world skills. Instead of only looking at educational qualifications, we can consider moving to a more skills-based assessment approach to assess and qualify candidates.

Especially for Cybersecurity, where new vulnerabilities are constantly being uncovered and staying up-to-date and designing practical scenarios for them can be extremely tedious and time-consuming.

IM: Many startups aim to close the education-to-employment gap, yet systemic barriers persist. To truly prepare students, we must restore dignity, renew industry cultures, and expand access.

Education and industry often operate in silos, leading to outdated curricula and skills mismatches. Traditional institutions struggle to keep pace, while employers seek job-ready candidates. Stronger partnerships ensure that education is grounded in real-world application, not just theory.

The skills gap is not just a technical issue—it’s a human one. Many workers feel lost in a shifting economy. AI-driven personalisation, project-based learning, and mentorship ensure that education becomes formational, not just functional.

Rigid systems can’t keep up with today’s fast-changing industries. Maxy Academy embraces flexible, evolving models that align learning with real-world demands.

Education should go beyond market-driven access and serve the underserved. Many talented students lack opportunity. Maxy Academy’s commitment to equity ensures affordability and access, uplifting individuals and communities alike.

Gamification is being used in cybersecurity training and learning platforms. How effective is this approach in keeping learners engaged and improving retention?

KWL: Gamification boosts engagement by making learning interactive and rewarding. Through gamification, we want to allow learners the feeling of small wins through mini interactive challenges, in order to feed their motivation to continue learning such a dry and technical topic. Furthermore, through gameplay, we turn complex concepts into immersive and simplified experiences, driving better retention and real-world skill application when they decide to play with our real attack range, from just gameplay simulation.

What are the biggest hurdles in building a scalable and effective university-to-career platform?

IM: Many EdTech platforms struggle to build meaningful hiring connections. Maxy Academy fosters reciprocal partnerships with companies that value potential over résumés, using AI-powered job matching to connect students with roles where they can truly thrive.

Digital learning can feel disconnected and impersonal. Maxy Academy prioritises AI-driven personalisation and mentorship, ensuring students remain engaged, supported, and empowered.

High costs limit access to education. Our Income Sharing Agreement model shifts the financial burden away from students, allowing them to train now and pay later — only after employment.

As we grow, the demand for personalised mentorship increases. We integrate an AI Mentor within our LMS, trained to reflect Maxy Academy’s mission, providing guidance, encouragement, and tailored advice while allowing human mentors to focus on high-impact interactions.

What are some of the biggest challenges that edtech startups in Southeast Asia face today, and how does EduSpaze help them navigate these hurdles?

IM: The Tech Winter has made EdTech less attractive to investors, who often expect rapid growth similar to other sectors. EduSpaze connects startups with patient investors who understand that EdTech scales differently—growing steadily before unlocking exponential impact.

Digital learning adoption varies across the region. EduSpaze helps startups refine marketing, distribution, and adoption strategies, ensuring their technology reaches the right users effectively.

Southeast Asia is a collection of vastly different education systems, policies, and cultural attitudes. EduSpaze helps startups build networks, navigate regulations and establish strong regional partnerships.

At Maxy Academy, we believe education empowers people, restores access, and drives long-term success. EduSpaze removes barriers, fosters strategic growth, and expands market access, ensuring EdTech solutions reach those who need them most.

KWL: Challenges include market fragmentation, diverse regulatory environments, localisation and limited access to funding or corporate partnerships. Especially in Singapore, where most schools work independently of each other, making it hard to penetrate and introduce new platforms or solutions.

In this area, EduSpaze provides mentorship, industry connections, and regional expertise to help Edutech startups refine their go-to-market strategies, connect us with key institutional partners, and build sustainable business models for Edutech across Southeast Asia.

Beyond funding, what role does mentorship and global network access play in accelerating edtech startups?

KWL: Mentorship provides critical guidance on scaling, pedagogy, and product-market fit. Global networks open doors to strategic partnerships, cross-border opportunities, and market validation. We look forward to working with the experienced mentors at Eduspaze to help us drive innovative, accessible, and scalable practical learning solutions for both Cybersecurity and AI!

IM: A successful EdTech startup isn’t built in isolation. To truly drive impact, it must integrate into a broader Education-to-Employment (E2E) ecosystem, leveraging mentorship, partnerships, and global networks.

EdTech founders face slow adoption, regulatory hurdles, and misaligned business models. For us, mentorship provides:

• Guidance from experienced founders to avoid common pitfalls.
• Industry insights to stay ahead of trends.
• Accelerated growth strategies backed by real-world experience.

EdTech companies cannot stand alone—they must integrate into the education and employment landscape. For Maxy Academy, this means:

• Partnering with skills platforms to enhance learning.
• Integrating with hiring networks for job placement.
• Leveraging AI for personalized learning.

True impact comes from connectivity, not isolation.

EdTech founders often struggle with long adoption cycles and investor scepticism. Validation from global industry leaders, investors, and peers boosts credibility and confidence, ensuring startups stay the course despite challenges.