Beyond School as We Know It: Cresconova’s Founders on Personalized, Creative Learning

Summary What if education began with the child—not the factory model, the timetable, or a standardized ceiling? In this episode of the EdTech Startup Showcase, Eric Makelky talks with Cresconova founders Yen How Tai and Barbara Yu about building a more personalized, creativity-centered learning experience for children. Yen and Barbara explain why they created Cresconova Global and Cresconova Lab, how small cohorts and carefully selected master teachers make deeper learning possible, and why their model is designed to complement schools rather than replace them. They also share how multidisciplinary courses, design thinking, hands-on making, and hybrid learning help students move from consuming knowledge to creating something meaningful in the world. Chapters 0:00 — Welcome to the EdTech Startup Showcase 0:57 — The moment Cresconova began 3:50 — Why the traditional school model leaves a gap 7:19 — Personalization at scale and the importance of creativity 9:13 — Why Cresconova starts with elementary learners 14:22 — Cresconova Global and Cresconova Lab 19:26 — From curiosity to prototypes: biomimicry, making, and design thinking 23:24 — Why the courses are multidisciplinary and high-ceiling 28:02 — Maintaining quality, small cohorts, and a nonprofit mission 33:22 — Partnering with schools instead of replacing them 39:19 — The future of hybrid learning 42:45 — Helping children become creators, not just consumers 47:52 — A future where creativity is a basic part of being human 49:20 — Closing thoughts Show Notes Guests: Yen How Tai and Barbara Yu, founders of Cresconova. Cresconova Global: Online learning built around small-group discussion, personalization, curiosity, and experienced master teachers. Cresconova Lab: A London-based hands-on learning environment where students combine deep subject knowledge with design thinking, systems thinking, prototyping, robotics, VR, 3D printing, and laser cutting. A central idea: Schools do not have to be replaced for students to receive learning experiences that are more personalized, creative, and globally connected. Cresconova website: Cresconova.org