Navigating Growth and Innovation in EdTech: Insights from Riley Batchelor, Chief Relationship Officer at Vygo
In our latest interview series with Vygo executives, we had the opportunity to sit down with Riley Batchelor, the Chief Relationship Officer at Vygo. Riley's extensive experience in the tech and education sectors offers valuable perspectives on the current trends, challenges, and future directions of EdTech.
Q: Can you share a bit about your journey and what led you to your current role at Vygo?
“I've been working in the tech industry for the last 20 years, starting my first technology company in 2004. Over the years, I've been involved in various tech businesses in the fashion, e-commerce, and digital media spaces. About 12 years ago, I entered the EdTech industry through General Assembly, setting up and growing their operations in Australia. More recently, I spent five years with Trilogy Education, managing their brands in Australia. I joined Vygo a few months ago, in May, after knowing and mentoring the founders, Ben and Joel, for some time. I jumped at the opportunity to help scale Vygo and take it to the next level.”
Q: What experiences or influences led you to a career in the EdTech space?
“I fell into the EdTech space through my work with General Assembly. At the time, I found it challenging to find technical talent for my own tech businesses. I saw a gap in the market for technical bootcamp training and brought the General Assembly model to Australia. Since then, I've loved the rewarding and purpose-driven nature of EdTech, helping people grow their careers and lives through education.”
Q: Can you describe your role at Vygo and what a typical day looks like for you?
“As the Chief Relationship Officer, I oversee our partner engagement team, partner success team, and marketing team. This involves working with potential and current university partners in Australia and the UK, managing our marketing efforts, and supporting the team to deliver exceptional service. My typical day includes internal and external meetings, strategic planning, and continuous communication with Joel, our CEO, and Ben, our co-founder.”
Q: Are there any key projects or initiatives that you are currently working on at Vygo?
“We are in a significant period of expansion, particularly driven by the demand from universities for our platform, especially in response to the support for students policy in Australia. I'm focused on preparing for this scale, expanding our team, and creating efficiencies in our systems and processes. Our goal is to grow from 16 university partners to over 30 in the next 12 months across Australia and the UK.”
Q: What are the current trends in the EdTech area that excite you the most?
“There's a significant drive for technology growth among our university partners, partly spurred by the need for online learning and support during COVID. Universities are enhancing their technology capabilities, particularly around data analytics. Vygo has a unique opportunity to be the platform that integrates various high-quality student support services, providing a personalized and seamless experience for students.”
Q: How do you see the future of EdTech evolving, and what role do you envision Vygo playing in that future?
“I envision a future where technology plays an even more integral role in education, providing personalized support for every student. Vygo aims to be at the forefront of this evolution, helping universities deliver comprehensive support services in a unified, accessible platform. This will significantly enhance student outcomes and streamline university operations.”
Q: What advice would you give to students to make the most out of their university experience?
“Engage with everything that university has to offer. It's easy to just attend classes and engage minimally, but there are so many opportunities and support services available. Get involved in various programs, engage with your peers and faculty, and make the most of career and academic support services. Also, don't forget to enjoy the experience and have some fun along the way.”
Q: If you had a magic wand and could change anything about the university system, what would it be and why?
“I would use my magic wand to make high-quality education accessible to people from all walks of life and economic backgrounds. Universities are amazing places, but they can sometimes be complex and inaccessible to some. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from a university experience, whether it's through a degree program or micro-credentials. Expanding access would enable more people to transform their lives through education.”
Riley Batchelor’s journey from tech entrepreneur to EdTech leader highlights the potential of education technology to drive significant social impact. His insights into the current trends and future directions of EdTech emphasize the importance of integrating technology to enhance student support and accessibility. As Vygo continues to expand and innovate, it is well-positioned to lead the way in transforming higher education for the better.
Authored by;
Rasal Jayasinghe
Marketing Coordinator, Vygo.
