From digital curriculum to adaptive assessments, founders are embracing tech tools that enhance learning while streamlining operations. But with so many options, how do you choose what works—and what’s worth skipping?

Join this session to hear from both edtech providers and founder-educators who are curating and deploying tech in intentional, learner-centered ways.

Leave with a list of recommended tools, real-world use cases, and a framework for evaluating and integrating edtech into your own model.

For many families, choosing a nontraditional path feels riskiest in the high school years—but that’s exactly where bold, learner-centered models can shine. Founders across the VELA network are showing what’s possible.

Join this session to hear from programs that have expanded to serve older learners and designed high-quality, future-ready experiences that meet the unique needs of tweens and teens.

Leave with insight into what it takes to grow your model with age, plus ideas for academic design, credentialing, and family trust-building at the secondary level.

For microschools and learning pods, accreditation can open doors—but it can also introduce complexity, cost, and compromise. How do you decide if it’s the right path? 

Join this session to hear from experts and founders who’ve walked different paths: those who pursued accreditation, those who opted out, and those still weighing the pros and cons. 

Leave with a clearer understanding of the accreditation landscape, potential benefits and trade-offs, and questions to guide your own decision-making process.

When education doesn’t follow a traditional path, how do you document success in a way colleges and employers understand? Innovative transcript services are helping founders and families bridge that gap.

Join this session to hear from providers supporting microschools and homeschoolers with alternative transcripts, as well as founders guiding learners through college and career planning.

Leave with tools and examples to help you document learner progress, build confidence with families, and support learners as they chart their next steps after your program.

How do founders continue to grow as educators while building and running their own programs? This session explores how to stay grounded in academic excellence and continually sharpen your instructional approach—on your own terms.

Join this session to explore flexible, founder-friendly approaches to professional growth, from experts in the field who have walked your path.

Leave with practical strategies to level-up your growth this academic year, plus tools to support you on the journey.

Artificial Intelligence is opening new possibilities for educators and learners—but its impact depends on how intentionally it’s used. Whether you're tech-forward or tech-cautious, AI can support personalized, engaging, and efficient learning.

Join this session to explore how founders are using AI to enrich academics—from adaptive tools and AI-driven tutoring to content creation and differentiated instruction—at every level of tech integration.

Leave with practical examples, platforms, and ideas to begin experimenting with AI to support academic excellence and learner-centered experiences in your own model.

Building a sustainable education business means more than just covering costs—it’s about finding the right mix of revenue to fuel your mission long-term. Across the VELA network, founders are getting creative: offering workshops, camps, family memberships, flexible tuition models, and more to bridge the gap between what’s possible and what’s sustainable.

Join this session to hear from founders and ecosystem partners who are unlocking new, mission-aligned revenue streams.

Leave with fresh ideas and practical tools to strengthen your business model and take the next step toward long-term sustainability.

You’re not just nurturing learners—you’re running a business that needs to last. To thrive long-term, founders must understand what it really costs to serve each student and build revenue streams that support their mission.

Join this session to break down cost-per-student, explore tuition-setting strategies, and uncover creative ways to generate income—from camps and CSA programs to workshops and rentals.

Leave with a clearer picture of your financial foundation and practical tools to build sustainable, diversified revenue that grows with your program.

Scaling a learning environment doesn’t always mean opening more sites—it might mean deepening your community reach, expanding offerings, or influencing others through your model. Impact takes many forms.

Join this session to hear from founders who have grown their programs in different ways—from multi-site expansion to building lasting influence within a single community.

Leave with clarity on how you define scale, along with ideas for expanding reach and impact in ways that fit your model and mission.

Running an innovative education program is no small feat—and at times, it can feel like a puzzle. In this high-energy, interactive session, founders will team up for a gamified experience that mirrors real-world challenges. Collaborate with fellow founders, think creatively under pressure, and unlock practical tools to avoid burnout and amplify your impact. You’ll leave with fresh ideas, new connections, and renewed momentum to tackle what’s next.

Whether you’re just starting or evolving your model, every founder hits a moment where it’s time to clarify what’s next. Maybe that means refining your vision and values, defining your capabilities, formalizing your offerings, or choosing the right legal structure — how do you move from an informal model that's thriving to a formal structure that's built to last? 

Join this session to explore how founders navigate key transitions and choose governance models that align with their mission. 

Leave with practical ideas for structuring your model, incorporating your business, and building with intention for long-term sustainability.

You’re not just nurturing learners—you’re running a business that needs to last. To thrive long-term, founders must understand what it really costs to serve each student and build revenue streams that support their mission.

Join this session to break down cost-per-student, explore tuition-setting strategies, and uncover creative ways to generate income—from camps and CSA programs to workshops and rentals.

Leave with a clearer picture of your financial foundation and practical tools to build sustainable, diversified revenue that grows with your program.

The most successful entrepreneurs know their target audience, and they build programs and messages that reflect that with confidence and care.

Join this session to explore how founders have identified their unique value, refined their messaging, and built trust with families to grow enrollment and community support.

Leave with tools to clarify your product-market fit and turn your mission into marketing that resonates with families and drives action.

K-12 education policy can shape—and sometimes shake—the path of founders. Whether you’re navigating funding opportunities, school choice legislation, or just trying to understand what’s allowed in your state, clarity is key.

Join this session to connect directly with policy experts who understand the out-of-system space. Rotate through small-group conversations or bring your burning questions to the table—no policy degree required.

Leave with real-time insights, state-specific context, and the confidence to move forward with your model, fully informed and ready to advocate for what’s possible.

Every founder has questions about regulatory compliance—zoning, tax status, funding, licensing, liability, employment , and more—but answers can be hard to find. This interactive session offers participants the opportunity to engage with members of the Stand Together legal team who understand alternative education.

Join this session to discuss the essential elements every founder should have in place to expand and grow. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and receive actionable guidance.

Leave with greater confidence, clarity, and the next steps you need to move forward legally, safely, and sustainably.

Social media isn’t just about being online—it’s a powerful way to build community, grow enrollment, and show families what makes your learning environment unique. You don't have to break the bank, but how you show up—organically or through modest paid promotion—makes all the difference.

Join this session to explore how founders use both organic content and modest paid ad strategies to reach the right audience, tell their story, and drive meaningful engagement—with help from time-saving tools like AI.

Leave with ready-to-use prompts, content planning templates, and cost-effective strategies to help you show up with clarity and confidence on social media.

For many founders, facilities aren’t just places to teach—they’re assets to unlock. Founders across the VELA network are finding smart, sustainable ways to turn their facilities into revenue-generating engines, whether by increasing learner throughput, hosting events, renting space, or sharing it with the community.

Join this session to hear from entrepreneurs who have reimagined their space as a key driver of revenue—using creative scheduling, smart design, and strategic partnerships to make every square foot count.

Leave with practical strategies to generate income through your facility, maximize learner capacity, and grow your business model without adding unnecessary complexity.

Creative use of time, space, and labor doesn’t always mean doing more yourself—it often means asking the right people at the right time. Across the VELA network, founders are tapping into unexpected partnerships to access facilities, staffing, and support already present in their communities.

Join this session to hear how founders are building win-win relationships with churches, businesses, families, and neighbors to unlock resources hiding in plain sight.

Leave with practical ideas and conversation starters to help you form new partnerships that reduce costs, expand capacity, and deepen your local impact.

If you’re waiting for the perfect building to launch or grow your program, you might be waiting forever. Across the VELA network, founders are redefining what “school” looks like—transforming school buses, backyard yurts, shared storefronts, and more into vibrant learning spaces.

Join this session to hear from creative entrepreneurs who’ve turned unconventional spaces into powerful places for learning—and walk through the possibilities available right in your own backyard (literally or figuratively).

Leave with fresh ideas, real-world examples, and practical strategies to help you find or build a space that works for your model, your budget, and your community.

Your story is one of your strongest assets—and earned media can help you share it with the world. But landing press, podcasts, or local coverage requires more than luck; it takes clarity, confidence, and a strong hook.

Join this session to learn how founders have successfully used media outreach to grow their visibility, gain credibility, and connect with the families they want to serve.

Leave with strategies and tips to reach new external audiences through earned media.

Welcome to VELA Con 2025! Join VELA CEO Meredith Olson and VELA founders Nicole Doyle, Alycia Wright, Scott Martin and Makenzie Oliver, as they share how they claimed ownership of their educational journeys—and what happened when they did. From bold first steps to unexpected breakthroughs, this session sets the tone for a weekend about courage, creativity, and community. Don’t miss this electric kick-off!

As school choice legislation sweeps the country, the national conversation is growing louder—and more divided. In this session, two leading voices with sharply contrasting views—Andrew Clark, president of yes. every kid., and Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations—come together for a rare and respectful public debate. Expect pointed questions, real disagreement, and thoughtful dialogue on what true educational freedom looks like, who it serves, and what’s at stake. At a time when soundbites dominate, expect a meaningful dialogue that the movement—and the country—needs.

Back by popular demand, Derrell Bradford returns to VELA Con with a fresh, unfiltered take on what it really means to own your education—and why the future depends on it. As a leading voice for educational freedom, Derrell brings hard truths, trademark wit, and a sharp sense of what it takes to challenge the status quo. If you’re building something bold, this session will remind you why it matters.

Our evening program will begin with a special performance you won’t want to miss!  

You asked, we delivered: this year’s VELA Con features a dedicated networking opportunity to enable connections to founders near you. Join us for regional breakouts, conversation starters, and plenty of coffee to fuel new collaborations. 

For our closing session, join Ravi Gupta, host of The Lost Debate—a nationally recognized podcast exploring the most pressing issues in American life—as he sits down with two VELA Founders for a podcast recording at VELA Con. With curiosity and a fresh outsider’s lens, Ravi will dive into what it means to own your education: how everyday people are building bold, sustainable alternatives that serve families and thrive outside traditional systems. This special session isn’t just for founders in the room—it’s headed to thousands of listeners nationwide, offering a powerful chance to amplify the VELA Founder Network and cast a vision for a new future for education across the country.

Join us on the beautiful rooftop at The Conrad for a welcome reception and a chance to explore a one-of-a-kind view of downtown Washington, D.C. Enjoy drinks and heavy appetizers with VELA founders and VELA Con attendees from across the country.

Do you need help deciphering the legal or regulatory requirements that apply to your learning environment? VELA Con’s Legal Support Booth is staffed by the Stand Together Edupreneur Resource Center’s expert legal team who is ready to help. Stop by for guidance on your trickiest challenges—no appointment needed.

Step into the spotlight! Visit the Social Media Booth to share how you own your education — and have your story featured with thousands of VELA followers. It’s your chance to amplify your voice and inspire others in the movement.

Introducing the VELA Con Unconference — a space designed by and for founders. Conservatory C will be open for real-time collaboration: sign up for a 15–20 minute slot to share ideas, showcase effective practices, or gather peers around a topic that matters to you. It’s informal, founder-led, and built for sparking connection.

Get what you need to level up your work—all in one place. During Resource Power Hour, swing by the VELA Social Media Booth to tell your story, the Legal Support Booth to get answers from expert attorneys, and the VELA App Booth to download the app and explore how it can connect you with founders and families. No presentations. No panels. Just practical tools and real-time support to power your next step. 

Be among the first to hear an excerpt from Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, the forthcoming book by author, education freedom advocate, and LiberatED podcast host Kerry McDonald. Launching August 19, Joyful Learning spotlights 39 incredible VELA Founders and their learner-centered approaches that are reshaping education across the country.
Stop by to meet Kerry, have an exclusive VELA Con bookmark signed, and get early access to order your copy. Come celebrate the joy of learning—and the Founders making it possible!

You asked, we delivered: this year’s VELA Con features a dedicated networking opportunity to enable connections to founders near you. Join us for regional breakouts, conversation starters, and plenty of coffee to fuel new collaborations. 

Do you need help deciphering the legal or regulatory requirements that apply to your learning environment? VELA Con’s Legal Support Booth is staffed by the Stand Together Edupreneur Resource Center’s expert legal team who is ready to help. Stop by for guidance on your trickiest challenges—no appointment needed.

Step into the spotlight! Visit the Social Media Booth to share how you own your education — and have your story featured with thousands of VELA followers. It’s your chance to amplify your voice and inspire others in the movement.

Introducing the VELA Con Unconference — a space designed by and for founders. Conservatory C will be open for real-time collaboration: sign up for a 15–20 minute slot to share ideas, showcase effective practices, or gather peers around a topic that matters to you. It’s informal, founder-led, and built for sparking connection.