Maldives – July 9, 2025 – The picturesque Maldives served as the backdrop for a landmark convergence of global leaders last week, as the World Education, Science, and Innovation Organisation (WESIO) successfully hosted both the 2025 Global EdTech Conference and the broader Global Business Week 2025 (GBW 2025) from July 7th to 15th. The idyllic Kurumba Island buzzed with activity as policymakers, educators, tech innovators, investors, and business leaders from across the globe gathered under the Maldivian sun.
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GBW 2025: A Week of Synergy and SuccessMore than just a series of forums, GBW 2025 delivered on its promise of an immersive experience combining high-level business strategy, innovation showcases, personal development, and unparalleled networking. The integrated format proved highly effective:
Flagship Forums Deliver Results:
- BOSS Business Forum (BBBF 2025): Facilitated strategic alliances between top-tier executives and investors, with several significant cross-border investment deals finalized during private sessions.
- Global EdTech Forum (EdTech 2025): Emerged as the undisputed highlight for education technology (see detailed outcomes below).
- Startup World Cup Championship (SWCC 2025): Crowned a promising AI-driven learning platform from Southeast Asia as the global champion, securing them significant seed funding and mentorship opportunities announced live on stage.
- World Woman Forum (WWF 2025): Forged powerful connections and launched new initiatives focused on accelerating female leadership pipelines in tech and business globally.
- MINIBOSS & BIGBOSS Camps: Attendees actively participated in one-on-one coaching sessions with renowned experts. The innovative "POWERKIDS" Family Business Camp was hailed as a resounding success, engaging youth aged 6-20 alongside their parents in entrepreneurial workshops and team-building activities, fostering the next generation of business minds. Wellness activities like sunrise yoga and snorkeling provided essential balance.
Networking Reaches New Heights: Exclusive gala dinners, vibrant yacht parties, and curated meetups facilitated high-impact connections. Numerous participants reported forging partnerships and securing leads that would have taken months to develop otherwise, crediting the unique "business-meets-vacation" environment.
EdTech 2025: Concrete Steps Towards Transformative LearningHeld on July 9th within the GBW framework and building on the WESIO conference momentum, the Global EdTech Forum (EdTech 2025) delivered tangible outcomes:
AI in Learning Takes Center Stage: Major announcements included the launch of a new open-source framework for adaptive learning AI, developed collaboratively by several attending universities and tech firms, aiming to make personalized education more accessible globally.
Immersive Tech Gains Traction: Demonstrations of advanced AR/VR classroom applications and gamified learning modules received overwhelming interest. Pilot partnerships between EdTech developers and school networks from 3 continents were signed to implement these technologies in diverse educational settings.
Blockchain Credentials Move Forward: A consortium of accreditation bodies and universities unveiled a joint pilot program for blockchain-secured digital diplomas and micro-credentials, set to begin trials in Q4 2025, addressing long-standing verification challenges.
Investment Floodgates Open: The dedicated "Pitch Arena" saw over 15 EdTech startups present. Cumulative investment interest exceeding $120 million was generated during the forum, with several term sheets signed on the spot. A dedicated "Global EdTech Scaling Fund" was also announced by a coalition of impact investors present.
School Leaders Find Solutions: School owners and directors actively engaged with innovators, reporting finding concrete solutions for their institutions and successfully initiating international collaboration agreements.
Over 150 educators and school leaders benefited from grants covering up to 50% of their participation costs (accommodation, meals, registration), significantly enhancing global representation at the EdTech events.
Speakers and exhibitors leveraged their free access to showcase groundbreaking work to a highly relevant international audience, generating significant leads.
Participants departed with valuable gifts, including subscriptions and exclusive discounts on business education programs.
The dual hosting of WESIO's Global EdTech Conference and GBW 2025 in the Maldives has been widely declared a resounding success. The unique combination of stunning location, integrated forums focusing on business, innovation (especially EdTech), family, and wellbeing, coupled with the substantial WESIO support, fostered an environment ripe for breakthrough ideas, strategic partnerships, and significant investment. The outcomes announced – from major tech launches and pilot programs to closed deals and new investment funds – solidify the event's role as a pivotal moment in shaping the future of education technology and global business collaboration. Participants left Kurumba Island not just inspired, but equipped with actionable results and valuable new connections.