14 years of building EdTech companies
Chris is the founder and visionary behind Challenge University, a trailblazing institution offering 100% challenge-based, remote-first education. Building on his transformative journey with TELANTO, a global marketplace connecting academia and industry, Chris continues to drive innovation in education. Recognized for his dedication, he's been honored with accolades such as the EdTech 'Cool Tools' Award, showcasing his passion for merging cutting-edge technology and educational excellence.
My Beginnings
Born in Barcelona's Vibrant Heart and molded in Frankfurt's Global Nexus. Under the tutelage of my father, a distinguished Physicist with a Ph.D. from Max Planck Institute in Berlin, education and the thirst for knowledge became my compass.
Since the late 1990s, my passion for innovation and education has been unwavering. I launched enerix, a pioneering Life Science Marketplace, during my Ph.D. journey. Post its success, I collaborated with giants like SAP and ESADE, flourishing as a lecturer and researcher. My determination fast-tracked my Industrial Ph.D. completion in just two years, reinforced by the esteemed EUDOKMA accolade from Europe's top universities. Every chapter has fueled my mission to redefine and elevate global education.
Growing up in a family home where education was the guiding star, I learned that only with curiosity and dedication, it's possible to transform raw knowledge into groundbreaking innovations.
TELANTO
Founder & CEO
2015 - 2022
In an ever-evolving global landscape, there's a persistent chasm between academic learnings and the real-world hurdles businesses navigate daily. My conviction has always been that closing this gap is not only essential for academia and businesses but is also a catalyst for shaping the trailblazers of tomorrow. After dedicating over a decade at SAP, gaining invaluable insights and expertise, I embarked on a transformative journey with TELANTO. Our mission was audacious: to fuse business challenges directly with classroom training. Our endeavors led to forging ties with an impressive 784 universities spread across 53 countries. This innovative melding of academic rigor with real-world relevance ensured students weren't merely equipped for their first jobs, but were primed for a lifetime of professional evolution. Simultaneously, businesses were enriched with fresh perspectives and pioneering solutions from the next generation of thinkers. At TELANTO, we didn't just bridge a gap — we built a global highway of collaboration, setting countless individuals on the path to their dream careers.
In August 2021, TELANTO was honored with the EdTech "Cool Tools" Award, a testament to our innovative approach and commitment to revolutionizing the connection between academia and industry. This accolade was not just a recognition of our past endeavors but a beacon illuminating my path forward.
Challenge University
Founder
2022 - present
In a world where 220M students are burdened with escalating debts and prolonged graduation timelines, and where businesses confront relentless talent shortages, I founded Challenge University (CU). Taking a groundbreaking approach, CU exclusively offers 100% challenge-based education. Here, through experiential learning, students can graduate in half the time, accessing education from anywhere and at any moment and collaborate with industry. With CU, we're reshaping the future of learning, making it more accessible, efficient, and aligned with real-world demands.
In this century, all forms of education will shift to online and become project-based.
Challenge University (CU) is at the heart of a transformative educational movement. Recognizing that traditional education models, though once groundbreaking, are now misaligned with contemporary demands, CU has pioneered an educational journey anchored solely in challenge-based learning. We aren't just teaching; we're cultivating problem solvers and fostering intellectual curiosity.
Understanding that the ultimate goal of education is to produce productive citizens for our society, CU is dedicated to reshaping the approach to learning in this tech-driven era. Rapid technological advancements mean that skills and knowledge have a shorter shelf life than ever before. This calls for a significant shift in pedagogy, ensuring learners are not just recipients of information but are adept at navigating and resolving real-world challenges.
At Challenge University, our vision transcends the norm. We're leading the charge in redefining education, ensuring our methodology remains relevant, impactful, and aligned with the demands of our evolving society. We stand firm in our belief that our obligation as educators is to create intellectually curious individuals – learners ready to question, probe, and innovate.
For forward-thinking investors, the shift in education is more than a trend; it's the undeniable future. Partnering with CU isn't just an investment in a platform; it's a commitment to a brighter, more informed, and agile global community.
This version incorporates the "heart of a transformative movement" phrase while integrating the core beliefs and principles you've shared. It paints a comprehensive picture of CU's mission, approach, and the significant opportunity it offers to investors.
If you're curious in learning more about the future of Challenge University and its investment potential
Let’s build a bolder future in education
I write daily on Twitter about our progress at Challenge University, my journey as a serial entrepreneur, and my thoughts on the changing AI and tech landscape in education.
hola@barcelova.com