Robyn Shulman
I was honored to speak with Karl Mehta, founder and CEO of EdCast Inc.
Over the past decade thousands of education technology platforms have appeared. As the edtech sector grows, it becomes increasingly important to identify solutions with clear purpose and measurable impact. EdCast focuses on technology that meaningfully improves learning and collaboration. EdCast is a social knowledge network designed to enhance how people learn together. Its open-source Knowledge Networks™ enable learners to access both formal and informal education through social, mobile, and cloud-based tools. Institutions, enterprises, governments, and non-profits use EdCast to power lifelong learning, support workforce development, and foster global collaboration. Karl Mehta and his team are committed to expanding the reach and effectiveness of mobile and online education.
Karl, you have over 20 years of experience founding, funding, and building technology companies. How did you become involved in education?
In 2012 I served as a Presidential Innovation Fellow, which gave me the opportunity to see education challenges at national and global levels. We face a crisis in higher education: many graduates lack the skills employers need, while student debt has reached trillions of dollars. Our current model emphasizes a front-loaded approach—many years of formal schooling followed by work—when the reality now demands continuous learning across a lifetime. Millennials are expected to change careers many times, and workers need ongoing access to learning to adapt. EdCast aims to support lifelong learning so individuals and communities can sustain economic and social wellbeing.
EdCast supports both public and private learning environments. Can you explain how each works?
EdCast serves as a public platform and as a private solution for organizations. EdCast.com is an open social learning network where anyone can join, follow curated channels, create channels, and share content. The platform is social by design: users can like, share, and comment on articles and resources. One notable offering is the 10 Minute Insight Series, an interactive format where global influencers deliver concise, actionable insights. Learners can engage with experts, ask questions, and interact in real time at no cost.
Where can viewers find the schedule of videos?
A continuously updated schedule for live and upcoming video events is available on the EdCast insights site.
How does EdCast support private organizations and institutions?
EdCast provides enterprise-grade solutions for institutions, companies, and non-profits that want to host courses and learning programs. We lead with Social Collaborative Learning (SCL), a model that blends informal and formal learning in a social, collaborative environment to drive daily engagement and measurable outcomes. Our software helps organizations deliver scalable learning experiences while enabling collaboration across institutions.
What differentiates EdCast from other online learning platforms?
EdCast distinguishes itself in several ways. First, we provide the underlying technology—open-source software that is continuously improved by a broad community—so partners can focus on delivering content. Second, we do not produce the curriculum ourselves; instead, we enable multiple institutions to collaborate and co-create learning experiences. This cross-institutional collaboration—bringing together public and private entities on a global platform—is unique and helps close the skills gap by connecting learners with relevant knowledge and practical resources.
Tell us about the Sustainable Development Solutions Network partnership.
On Wednesday, September 30th, EdCast launched a partnership with the United Nations-supported Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). SDSN communications and course delivery are managed through our platform, covering the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Several courses are already live through the SDSN education site, which includes more than 200 university and organizational members. These offerings combine formal and informal learning opportunities for both institutions and the general public.
What are EdCast’s primary goals?
Our mission is to provide open access to knowledge and to support lifelong learning across public and private sectors. By offering intuitive tools for collaboration, we aim to bridge organizations and create new pathways for learning that improve skills, employability, and global outcomes. Ultimately, we want to make a measurable difference by enabling people and institutions to learn, collaborate, and solve real-world problems together.
For more information
To explore EdCast’s public channels, follow influencers, or share your own work, visit EdCast’s main site. Organizations interested in hosting courses can find information on the EdCast for Organizations page. For details about classes offered through the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, consult the SDSN education portal. You can also find my profile on EdCast and follow the Education Thought Leadership channel for updates and insights.
Karl Mehta is a serial entrepreneur, investor, engineer, and civil servant with more than 20 years of experience founding, building, and funding technology companies in the United States and international markets.