Gaia Learning Founder Kate Longworth Wins Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 (Tech – North West) for Innovation in Supporting SEN Learners

Gaia Learning Founder Kate Longworth Wins Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 (Tech – North West) for Innovation in Supporting SEN Learners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gaia Learning is proud to announce that Co-Founder Kate Longworth has been named Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 in the Tech – North West category. This prestigious national award recognises Kate’s pioneering work in developing Bloom, Gaia Learning’s impact-tracking platform transforming how learning activity and progression are understood for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Selected from thousands of entrepreneurs across the UK, Kate’s win highlights her exceptional leadership in building technology that makes education more personalised, measurable and equitable for diverse learners.

A Breakthrough Innovation for SEN Learners

Bloom—developed by Gaia Learning—captures, measures and interprets the activity, engagement and developmental progress of SEN learners in real time. The platform empowers educators, families and local authorities by offering:

• Clear visibility of learner activity and wellbeing trends

• Personalised progress data that reflects how a learner grows, not how they compare

• Early identification of emerging needs or changes in engagement

• Evidence-based insights for EHCP reviews, reintegration plans and interventions

• A holistic profile of each child that goes far beyond traditional attainment metrics

Kate’s vision has been to ensure that every learner’s story is seen, heard and understood—especially those whose progress is not always reflected through conventional systems.

Championing Neurodiversity and Inclusive Tech

Under Kate’s direction, Gaia Learning has become a leader in digital, neurodiversity-affirming education. Bloom plays a vital role in ensuring learners who struggle with anxiety, autism, ADHD, trauma, school avoidance or other complex needs can have their journey documented in a way that recognises their strengths and supports their wellbeing.

The award judges praised Kate for her “innovative use of technology to solve real-world educational challenges” and her “unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for some of the UK’s most vulnerable learners.”

A Recognition of Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship

“This award is truly a celebration of our learners,” said Kate Longworth. “Gaia Learning exists because the education system wasn’t built to help SEN learners thrive and track their brilliance. Every child deserves to have their progress recognised in a way that reflects who they are—not who the system expects them to be. I’m honoured to be part of the movement reshaping that story.”

Kate shares this achievement with the entire Gaia Learning team, the families who trust Gaia to support their children, and the local authorities and partners who champion innovative approaches to inclusion.

Shaping the Future of SEN Education

Kate’s recognition as Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 underscores Gaia Learning’s growing influence in the UK’s education and EdTech sectors. With Bloom at the forefront, Gaia Learning continues to build tools and environments where every child can thrive, be understood and feel safe to learn.