The end of 2024 marked a moment of remarkable global recognition for TicTacLearn (TTL), as it was recognised by HundrED as one of the world’s 100 most impactful education innovations that democratised education by providing free, scalable and curriculum-aligned learning resources in six Indian languages. This recognition not only celebrated TTL’s transformative impact but also highlighted its scalability and potential to further empower many more children in India.

The HundrED Global Innovation Summit 2024 in Helsinki, Finland, brought together education changemakers from over 100 countries to showcase innovative solutions and explore scaling impactful education practices globally. Set against the backdrop of Finland’s renowned education system, the summit served as a hub for dialogue, innovation and collaboration. Representing TTL and Central Square Foundation (CSF) at this esteemed platform was both an honor and an opportunity to learn, share and reflect. 

At CSF, I have had the privilege of contributing to TTL’s journey of providing high-quality learning resources that engage students and drive better learning outcomes for the past three years. Being a part of this event was a truly rewarding experience that will always remain close to my heart. The summit offered an invaluable platform to share TTL’s mission and connect with global leaders in EdTech. The insights gained, particularly on personalised and hybrid learning models, have already influenced our approach at TTL, helping us better cater to diverse learners.

The experience reinforced my belief in the power of technology to make quality education accessible to every child, everywhere.

Ankur Sehgal (Senior Project Lead – EdTech, Central Square Foundation)

At the Heart of Global Ideas: The HundrED Education Summit

The summit was much more than an event; it was an immersive experience that deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in education worldwide. 

The journey began with a visit to the Helsinki Education Division, where I witnessed, firsthand, the commitment of Finland’s education system to equity, innovation and student agency. Observing Finland’s Mobile Testbed TEKLA — a space for co-creating and testing EdTech solutions—was especially inspiring, as it mirrors TTL’s approach of building solutions grounded in real-world contexts.

The sessions at HundrED were insightful. Discussions on ‘Education for Human Flourishing’ explored the delicate balance between AI-driven advancements and essential human skills, offering key takeaways that could inform TTL’s future strategies.

I was particularly struck by the depth of discussions led by Larry Cooley, Founder and President Emeritus of Management Systems International, who shared key trends shaping the development sector. He highlighted the Doubling Effect—over the past 15 years, both the number of donors and projects have doubled. Simultaneously, the Halving Effect has seen project durations and funding per project reduce by half. Scaling remains a challenge, with only 5% of successful Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) achieving large-scale implementation, while operating at scale takes 15 years to establish a sustainable pathway. Larry’s session on ‘Implementation @ Scale’ reinforced the importance of balancing scalability with quality, evidence-based strategies, and stakeholder engagement—an approach TTL strongly aligns with, as we prioritize rigorous impact measurement and data-driven decision-making to ensure our solutions are both scalable and effective.

Another highlight was the opportunity to present CSF’s work for system reform for education in India to Hemant H. Kotalwar, Ambassador of India to Finland. The Ambassador’s warm hospitality during a gathering at the Indian Embassy, brought together many Indian delegates and provided a platform to discuss the transformative potential of innovations back home, such as Udhyam Learning Foundation’s Shiksha programme to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, the Protsahan Girl Champions programme and TTL in providing access to curriculum-aligned high-quality learning resources in an engaging manner. Hearing the Ambassador’s positive reception to our stories was a humbling reminder of the global significance of local solutions like TTL in bridging educational inequities.

Celebrating Global Recognition for TicTacLearn

One of the most humbling  moments for me at the summit was the Global Collection 2025 Awards Ceremony at the Helsinki City Hall, where TTL was celebrated alongside other impactful innovations. Not only did this make me reflect on how far we had come in our journey, it fueled my rigour to return home and strive for more and better educational excellence. 

The summit provided a fantastic opportunity to engage with global education leaders. Listening to their stories and sharing our own reinforced my belief in the transformative power of collaboration and innovation.

Looking Ahead

TicTacLearn’s inclusion in the HundrED Global Collection 2025 stands as a testament to the dedication of our team, the vision of our partners and the trust of the educators and families who rely on our content. This milestone motivates us to reach even more children, making quality education a universal right, not a privilege.

I am filled with gratitude for the recognition, meaningful connections, wholesome and insightful conversations and the opportunity to represent TTL on such a global platform. The HundrED Global Innovation Summit marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for TicTacLearn. With boundless possibilities ahead, we are more energised than ever to amplify TTL’s impact, ensuring quality education reaches every child across India, regardless of geography or circumstance.

This achievement also resonates deeply with CSF’s EdTech mission, where we prioritise the integration of digital solutions to enhance both in-class and at-home learning experiences, empowering learners to thrive in an increasingly digital world.