For many students, abstract concepts in physics or chemistry remain difficult to grasp from textbooks alone. Metatesk, an education technology startup founded by Gunay Imanzade, is betting that immersive virtual environments can bridge that gap. The platform allows teachers and students to step inside interactive 3D classrooms, where molecules, planetary systems, and historical events become tangible experiences rather than static diagrams.
From Baku to the European classroom
Metatesk, which originated in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been piloting its technology in schools across the Caucasus and is now eyeing wider European adoption. The company's virtual classrooms are designed to work with standard VR headsets, but also with laptops and tablets, making them accessible to schools with limited budgets. "We want to make immersive learning a standard part of European education," Imanzade told European Pulse. "The technology is ready; what we need is for schools to see the impact."
The platform covers subjects ranging from biology to engineering, with modules that let students manipulate 3D models of cells, dissect virtual frogs, or walk through a working wind turbine. Teachers can guide the experience in real time, pausing to explain or quiz students. Early feedback from pilot schools in Portugal and Poland has been positive, with teachers reporting higher engagement and better retention of complex topics.
AI with a transparent mind
Beyond the virtual classrooms, Metatesk runs a research lab called Another Mind, which investigates how artificial intelligence reaches its conclusions. The lab's goal is to make AI decision-making more transparent and explainable, a concern that resonates in Brussels as the EU's AI Act pushes for greater accountability. "If we want students to trust AI, we need to show them how it works," Imanzade explained. "Our lab is about opening the black box."
Another Mind has already published papers on interpretable neural networks and is collaborating with universities in Germany and the Netherlands. The lab's work could eventually feed back into the classroom, helping students understand the logic behind AI-driven tutoring systems. This dual focus on education and research sets Metatesk apart from many edtech startups, which often prioritize scale over depth.
Challenges and opportunities in European edtech
The European edtech market is growing, but it remains fragmented. Startups must navigate different curricula, languages, and procurement rules in each member state. Metatesk has responded by building a modular platform that teachers can adapt to local syllabi. The company is also seeking partnerships with national education ministries, a slow but necessary process. "We are not trying to replace teachers," Imanzade stressed. "We give them a new tool to make their lessons more vivid."
The startup's ambitions align with broader EU efforts to boost digital skills and innovation. The European Commission's new charter to speed up lab-to-market innovation for startups could provide a supportive framework for companies like Metatesk. However, funding remains a hurdle. While venture capital for edtech has cooled after the pandemic boom, Imanzade is confident that the long-term demand for better learning tools will persist.
Students who have tried the platform are enthusiastic. "It feels like a game, but you actually learn," said a 15-year-old student in Lisbon, where Metatesk ran a pilot. "I understood the water cycle in ten minutes, whereas before I just memorized it." Such testimonials are what drive the team forward, even as they work to convince skeptics that virtual reality is more than a novelty.
Metatesk is also exploring how its technology can address the student housing crunch by offering remote learning options that reduce the need for physical classroom space. While that is a secondary benefit, it highlights the startup's broader vision: education that is not bound by geography or infrastructure.
As Europe debates the future of work and the role of AI, Metatesk offers a glimpse of how the continent's next generation might learn. The company plans to expand its presence in Western Europe over the next two years, with pilot programs in France and Spain. "We are building the classrooms of tomorrow," Imanzade said. "And we want Europe to lead that transformation."
