From UX to EdTech: How Sebastian Białas Is Designing the Future of Education and Learning
- Krzysztof Kosman
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
What happens when a UX veteran, startup advisor, and father enters the world of education? You get a thoughtful, ethically driven approach to building technology that’s not just functional — but truly helpful. In the latest episode of edtech dots, I spoke with Sebastian Białas — founder of the EdTech startup Edubba, author of a book on idea validation, and long-time product strategist — about building tech that actually fits the classroom (and the home) and the future of education.
Watch now:
Here’s what stood out from our conversation:
From Founders to First Graders: Why He Entered EdTech
Sebastian’s journey into EdTech began not with strategy decks or market analysis — but with his own kids.
“Having children changed how I see the world — and it changed the kind of tech I want to build.”
An early EdTech project — building a mobile network for children with educational apps for safe tech use — sparked his interest in creating digital tools that serve both kids and parents. Although that project didn’t survive the post-COVID funding freeze, it laid the groundwork for something deeper: a mission.
UX Is a Competitive Advantage — Especially in Schools
We talked a lot about user experience, and why it’s not just about pretty interfaces. In EdTech, the real users — and buyers — are often parents and teachers, not students. That changes everything.
“Some EdTech products win crowded markets not by doing more — but by doing UX better.”
Sebastian emphasized that great UX is a strategic decision, not a cosmetic one. Especially in classrooms, where friction leads to abandonment, and where engagement has to be ethical — not addictive.
Addictive vs. Valuable: Building Tech for Kids Responsibly
In a time when most digital products are engineered to be addictive, Sebastian takes a different stance:
“We didn’t want to hook kids. We wanted to build something they’d come back to — because it was valuable, not because it was manipulative.”
That approach is baked into Edubba, the new teacher-assistant tool he’s building. From interface design to notification logic, everything is centered around delivering real help, not just dopamine.
How to Validate a Startup Idea (The Right Way)
Sebastian recently published a book about validating startup ideas, and in the interview he walks us through his process — not just as theory, but as lived experience. At Edubba, his team began with paper prototypes, ran workshops with teachers, interviewed users, and only then moved into POC and MVP phases.
“You don’t need code to validate an idea. You need conversations, honesty, and a willingness to pivot.”
His advice to founders? Be ready to let go of your original idea if the market says no — and never skip the early discovery stage. It's the part where you build not just your product, but your community.
Building Tech That Supports, Not Replaces, Teachers
The heart of Edubba lies in helping teachers, especially those working with students with special needs. The goal isn’t to automate education — it’s to free up teachers’ time, so they can do what matters most: connect with students.
“Teachers don’t need more dashboards. They need tools that help them save time and reach every child in the room.”
Edubba focuses on lesson prep, curriculum alignment, and adapting content to students’ individual needs. And yes, it’s being built with the help of psychologists and real educators, not just developers.
The Future of Education: Slow Revolution, Big Stakes
Sebastian sees the digital transformation of education as inevitable — but not instant.
“We’re a few steps before a real revolution. But we need to prepare mindsets, not just tools.”
We also dive into the challenges of scaling EdTech: legal hurdles, slow procurement cycles, underfunded schools, and skeptical institutions. His take? Change won’t happen overnight — but it will happen. And the startups that are ready to listen, adapt, and build ethically will lead the way.
Why You Should Listen
This episode is full of quiet wisdom — from how to build tech with empathy, to how to validate ideas without falling in love with your own assumptions. Whether you're a startup founder, a product designer, a teacher, or a parent, you'll find something useful — and human — in Sebastian’s story.
We talk about:
Ethical product design for kids
Validation frameworks that actually work
The real challenges of building EdTech
Balancing founder life with fatherhood
What success really means in education
