Trading the Classroom for a Startup with Mike Cronley

Trading the Classroom for a Startup with Mike Cronley

Author: BE Podcast Network February 12, 2026 Duration: 28:55

In this episode of the EdTech Startup Podcast, host Jeff Bradbury interviews Mike Cronley, co-founder and CEO of Class Composer and former third-grade teacher. Mike shares his journey from the classroom to entrepreneurship, sparked by a casual conversation with his school's music teacher about students being incorrectly placed together. This "aha moment" led him to develop Class Composer, a software solution that helps elementary schools create balanced, equitable classroom rosters. Over seven years, Mike transitioned from teaching while developing his idea as a side project to fully committing to his startup. The conversation explores the challenges of the traditional paper-based class placement process, the importance of listening to customers, and advice for educators considering entrepreneurship.


Ever wonder who’s actually building the tools that are changing classrooms and online learning? EdTech Startup Showcase, from the BE Podcast Network, goes straight to the source. Each episode is built around candid conversations with the founders and CEOs behind emerging educational technology companies, but it doesn’t stop there. To get the full picture, we also talk to the partner organizations that help scale these ideas and, most importantly, the educators on the ground who are implementing these products with real students. What you’ll hear isn’t just polished theory; it’s about practical solutions to persistent challenges in education and the opportunity-expanding ideas that are pushing learning into uncharted directions. This podcast digs into the stories behind the startups, examining not just what they built, but why they built it and the tangible difference it’s making. If you’re curious about the future of learning technology and the people driving it, this series offers an essential, ground-level view you won’t find in a press release. Tune in for genuine dialogue that connects the vision of creators with the everyday realities of teaching and learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 31

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