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Awards & Press
2026 Teach For America EdTech Pitch Competition Finalist
Hilight was named a finalist for the EdTech Pitch Competition at Teach For America’s 35th Anniversary Summit, presented by Bett USA. Hilight will pitch live in Las Vegas on October 2, 2026 alongside fellow TFA alumni founders for the $15,000 prize.
2026 SXSW EDU Featured Panelist
Hilight CEO Claire Smith joined Walton Family Foundation’s SXSW EDU panel, “Teaching Today: Innovations to Help Educators Stay & Thrive,” alongside leaders from NYC Public Schools and Playlab, to share innovative solutions that are using AI to make teaching more sustainable and rewarding.
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District Administration Top EdTech Products of 2024
District Administration identifies the “most innovative new solutions on the market that are helping leaders meet the ever-evolving education technology needs of their districts and schools”.
2024 Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition and Catalyst @ PennGSE
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2024 AWS Education Accelerator
2023 GSV Cup Elite 200 in EdTech
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2023 Learning Tools Competition
Winner of the Teacher Development Track and Grant. The Learning Tools Competition is a multi-million dollar funding opportunity for EdTech innovation. Some of the funders of the competition include the Walton Family Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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In the Press
How Two Friends are Transforming School Culture with their Recognition App
"The core of Hilight is its virtual “bulletin boards” where personalized messages of recognition..."
Hilight announced as finalist of Miliken - PennGSE Business Plan Competition
Hilight will be competing in the finals at a pitch competition on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2024!
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AWS Announces the 2024 Cohort for the AWS Education Accelerator
Hilight selected as one of the 15 startups.
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Hilight announced as winner of 2023 Learning Tools Competition
Winner of the Teacher Development Track
Idea Village Names Hilight as 2024 IDEApitch Participant
"TIDEApitch companies represent the next generation of startups and the increasing momentum of our local startup community."
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District Administration Top EdTech Products of 2024
Hilight was awarded one of District Administration's Top EdTech Products of 2024.
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IDEApitch 2024 winner at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week
Hilight was one of four winners of the IDEApitch sponsored by the Idea Village at NOEW.
Teachers’ Stress Trickles Down to Students. Here’s What Schools are Doing About it
"Hilight, an app that highlights the good work in schools."
Hilight accepted into Catalyst @ PennGSE program
Hilight gets to participate in the Catalyst @ Penn GSE virtual accelerator this summer!
Long Term Impact fund announces their investment in Hilight
Hilight takes on our first investor, Long Term Impact fund!
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