WGU Labs, the research, development, and investment arm of Western Governors University, today announced Axio AI as the winner of its second annual Accelerator Pitch Competition. The winner was selected among five finalists who pitched their EdTech startups to a judging panel of senior WGU and industry leaders alongside an audience of higher education leaders, experts, investors, and researchers at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit.
The winner, Axio AI, will receive a $100,000 cash investment for equity from the WGU Labs Fund, $50,000 in services from the WGU Labs Accelerator, and a paid pilot with WGU for up to $50,000 to support future growth. This year’s total award package doubles that of the previous year.
"Winning this competition is a testament to Axio’s innovation in AI-powered education," said Dr. Mark Naufel, CEO and founder of Axio AI. "Our multi-agentic generative AI and patented knowledge graph technology are redefining automation and personalization in learning, solving persistent challenges in education."
Axio is dedicated to revolutionizing both the administrative and pedagogical aspects of education and training. By leveraging AI-driven automation and adaptive learning, Axio empowers educators and organizations to streamline workflows, enhance student engagement, and deliver more effective, personalized learning experiences. With a strong focus on solving key challenges in educational technology, Axio continues to push the boundaries of innovation to improve learning outcomes worldwide.
"This year’s competition highlighted groundbreaking solutions that bridge education and employment, personalize skill development, and harness AI to make learning more accessible and career-focused," said Jason Levin, executive director of WGU Labs. "Axio stood out for its innovative AI-powered platform that enhances both the administrative and pedagogical aspects of education and training, demonstrating the power of AI to transform education and workforce readiness."
In 2024, WGU Labs invested in five EdTech companies for a total of $1.5 million in investment from the Accelerator at Labs.
