The SXSW Innovation Awards recognize the most exciting creative developments in the connected world, celebrating a variety of technological advancements, achievements, and discoveries.
Breakout Learning announced that their AI-assessed, small-group discussion platform was nominated as one of five finalists for the Innovation Award in AI at the 26th annual South by Southwest (SXSW) conference on March 10, 2025. Every year, these awards honor the most transformative and forward-thinking products in our connected world.
“We live in an increasingly disconnected society with an education system that prioritizes rote memorization over critical thinking and meaningful discourse,” said Ramit Varma, CEO and Co-Founder of Breakout Learning. “Our collaborative learning format leverages AI to moderate and evaluate student discussions, aligning them with professors’ learning objectives. We’re taking this one step further with Nextbook - a curated set of discussion modules designed specifically for each course.”
Today, Breakout Learning is used in 200+ universities worldwide, including 17 of the top 20 business schools. Professors using Breakout Learning have reported that students come to class more prepared, participate confidently in discussions, and leave with a clear understanding of their performance and growth opportunities.
By combining multimedia content, small-group discussion tools, and AI-powered evaluation, the platform has enabled over 25,000 students to participate in meaningful, high-quality discourse - at a scale that was never possible before.
Building on this momentum, Breakout Learning is taking their proprietary method to the next level.
With modular content, discussion-based learning, and authentic assessments, Nextbook helps institutions increase engagement, reduce administrative burden, and cut costs. Nextbook is the best solution for large lecture format classes, personalizing student experiences while resolving the logistical and scalability challenges of traditional small-group discussions.
Nextbook empowers deans and professors to curate a comprehensive collection of Original and Custom Breakout modules, fully tailored to their courses. By moving beyond outdated materials, academic leaders can take full control of their curriculum - delivered through Breakout’s immersive, discussion-based format.
Want to learn more about how to tailor Nextbook modules to your course?
