And why I’m convinced the next big breakthroughs will come from ordinary people solving extraordinary problems.
Over the past decade, I’ve travelled the world speaking at hundreds of conferences about education innovation. And everywhere I go — Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas — I meet people with the same unmistakable look in their eyes: that spark.
A spark that says “I’ve seen something broken in education… and I believe I can fix it.”
After 22 years in this field, you would think I’ve heard it all. Yet I’m still regularly surprised by the creativity and courage of people who decide not to wait for someone else to solve a problem.
Two innovators who changed how I think
In South Korea, I discovered a language-learning app unlike anything I’d ever seen. You watch a blockbuster movie clip → hear the actor speak → then repeat the line → and instantly see the same clip with the actor using your voice.
It turned pronunciation practice into something fun, personal, and deeply effective — especially in a region where access to native English speakers is limited.
Then in Egypt, I met a young man who had lost his eyesight. Because he struggled in university when he couldn’t see presentation slides, he built an AI tool that reads and describes slides for blind learners.
He didn’t just build an app. He built a bridge to higher education for millions of others like him.
I could share dozens more stories, but they all reveal the same truth:
The best solutions in education often come from people who lived the problem.
These innovators understand the pain. They know what “better” needs to look like. Their solutions become their life’s mission — and they push until the quality matches their vision.
Now imagine thousands of such people empowered globally.
What would happen if anyone — a teacher, parent, student, or passionate outsider — had the support to develop solutions to the challenges they care about most?
Based on Estonia’s experience, I am certain that:
Quality would rise dramatically
Costs would drop significantly
Solutions would become more personalised and more effective
And this isn’t just theory.
The Estonian Example: When innovation becomes a movement
Estonia decided early on to build a strong education innovation ecosystem — connecting government, universities, educators, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts.
The results?
Since 2018, the country grew from a handful of pioneers to ~100 education innovation teams. Check them out on the EdTechEstonia website.
Their tools are now used by half of Estonia’s population.
~80% of these teams operate internationally.
Solutions from 8 Estonian EdTechs are used in 100+ countries and serve millions of people.
This proves something powerful: World-class innovation doesn’t require a giant corporation. It requires a community that believes people closest to the problem are most fit to create the solution.
What’s next?
If we believe in democratised education development, we must build ecosystems that support the people with courage to innovate — whether they are teachers, parents, students or other community members.
Creating a high-quality learning tool often takes 3–5 years. Without support, this journey can be overwhelming. With the right support systems — mentorship, funding, testing environments, and community — the path becomes far more humane.
Estonia already has a tradition of involving parents in school leadership. Maybe it’s time to go further:
Why not trust people — learners, parents, teachers — to build the solutions that shape the future of learning?
Märt Aro
Co-Founder of DreamApply
Chairman of the Board, EdTech Estonia
👉 If you believe in empowering people to shape the future of learning, help spread the message.
