Qoria (ASX:QOR) Just Secured an Ohio Education Deal! Could Trump’s Policies Give It a Nationwide Boost?

In a market where investors are shunning most stocks except those that might benefit from US President Donald Trump’s radical disruptive policies, Qoria (ASX:QOR) could be one to look at. One recent policy is abolition of the Department of Education, in a move aimed at handing power back to the states. And Qoria, could benefit. It is a cybersecurity company focusing on digital safety in the education sector, and recently secured a significant contract with the state of Ohio. The agreement will see its software used to protect over 1.8 million students across public K‑12 schools in the state. But here’s the real question: Could this be the first domino to fall in a broader U.S. rollout?

In our view, this move may not just a one‑off win; it may signal the beginning of Qoria’s full‑scale entry into the U.S. education market.

 

What Is Qoria, and Why Does It Matter?

Qoria (ASX:QOR), formerly known as Family Zone Cyber Security, is focused on digital safety solutions for children, particularly in schools. Its flagship software enables school administrators to monitor and manage student online behaviour, flag harmful content, and enforce appropriate digital boundaries. It is one of the few companies globally that combines cybersecurity, behavioural analytics, and digital wellbeing—all under one platform designed specifically for education.

This is not merely generic antivirus software; rather, it comprises AI‑backed, cloud‑based platforms that proactively address cyberbullying, exposure to explicit material, and student mental health risks. The software does far more than block websites. It uses machine learning to analyse patterns in student behaviour, identify harmful content, and alert educators and administrators in real time. Qoria’s system can detect indicators of self‑harm, cyberbullying, online grooming, and inappropriate content—areas of increasing concern in post‑COVID classrooms.

With over 29,000 schools globally already using its platform, including the majority of Australian public schools, Qoria has proven its capability. Although Qoria is already a dominant player in Australia, the U.S. market is far larger.

 

Breaking Down the Ohio Education Deal

In February 2025, Qoria entered into a strategic partnership with the Management Council, an organisation that collaborates with the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio’s 18 Information Technology Centres (ITCs). This agreement designates Qoria as a preferred vendor, making its suite of online safety and student well-being services available to Ohio school districts.

The agreement between Qoria and the Management Council is for a one‑year term. The company has not forecast its potential revenue from this agreement or its financial materiality, though it considers the partnership strategically important. In the notoriously fragmented U.S. school system, securing a state‑wide rollout is no small feat. It also sends a signal to other state education boards: Qoria can meet American data privacy standards, scale quickly, and operate in a politically sensitive sector.

In our view, this deal is not merely about revenue; it is about strategic positioning. Ohio, a traditional bellwether state politically, could become a launchpad for further wins across key swing states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

 

What Makes Qoria’s Offering Unique?

Qoria’s edge lies in how it combines cybersecurity with mental health monitoring and digital wellness. Unlike traditional firewalls or endpoint security software, Qoria tracks behavioural signals. If a student searches for self‑harm content or engages in cyberbullying, school administrators are alerted in real time.

In a post‑pandemic world, where screen time and digital exposure have skyrocketed, tools like Qoria’s are more essential than ever. It offers:

• Real‑time alerts for harmful content
• AI‑driven behavioural analytics
• Parental and teacher collaboration tools
• Data privacy compliance aligned with U.S. legislation (FERPA and COPPA)

That last point is critical; many Australian edtech firms have struggled with U.S. privacy standards, but Qoria appears to have cracked the code.

 

Could Trump’s Education Policies Amplify Qoria’s Growth?

We believe the answer is yes, potentially in a big way.

While President Trump has advocated for school choice and decentralisation, recent actions include efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and reduce funding for certain programmes, such as teacher training initiatives. These actions may not directly correlate with a focus on enhancing security in classrooms. With Trump’s return in 2025, we are likely to see:

• Decentralisation of education policy: More power to state governments could accelerate the adoption of platforms like Qoria on a per‑state basis, with Ohio being the first domino.
• Greater openness to edtech vendors: Trump‑era Department of Education policies leaned towards deregulation, which often benefits emerging tech providers.

In simple terms, Qoria could thrive in a policy environment where schools are encouraged to adopt third‑party solutions for safety and monitoring.

 

The Broader Opportunity in U.S. Education

The scale of the opportunity is immense: over 50 million students are enrolled in U.S. public schools, yet only a fraction currently benefit from real‑time digital safety platforms. This represents a massive total addressable market.

States such as Texas, Florida, and Arizona have shown strong interest in education tech and school choice reforms—areas that align perfectly with Qoria’s offering. These states also lean Republican, meaning Trump‑aligned policy could pave the way for rapid adoption. Additionally, the Biden administration’s momentum in edtech spending has already laid some groundwork. Any shift under Trump would likely continue the trend but with a stronger emphasis on security and parental control—two areas where Qoria excels.

 

How Qoria Compares to U.S. Rivals

The U.S. edtech market is not short of players. Incumbents such as GoGuardian, Securly, and Bark have already secured large contracts. However, Qoria distinguishes itself in several key ways:

• Global Compliance Expertise: Its success in navigating regulatory regimes in Australia, New Zealand, and now the U.S. demonstrates a level of flexibility that rivals may lack.
• Behavioural AI Engine: Qoria’s platform does not simply flag keywords; it analyses context, sentiment, and user intent. This nuance is critical when assessing mental health risks.
• End‑to‑End Platform: From real‑time alerts to teacher dashboards to parent portals, Qoria offers a comprehensive ecosystem.
• Multi‑stakeholder Interface: Unlike competitors, Qoria balances the needs of IT departments, educators, mental health teams, and parents.

If the company can successfully localise its offering further to appeal to specific U.S. states, we believe it could carve out a significant market share even against entrenched incumbents.

 

Risks Investors Should Watch

That said, not everything is smooth sailing.

• Policy Volatility: If Trump fails to win in 2025, a more centralised or regulation‑heavy approach under the Democrats could slow Qoria’s expansion.
• Competition: U.S.-based rivals such as GoGuardian and Securly already hold substantial market shares.
• Currency and Integration Risk: Cross‑border contracts can lead to unexpected compliance costs and exchange rate challenges.

Nevertheless, we believe Qoria’s strong product‑market fit and early‑mover advantage could help it overcome these hurdles, particularly if Trump‑era policies create a friendlier climate.

 

Is Qoria a Buy? The Market’s Take

Qoria’s share price spiked after the Ohio deal was announced, which is proof that the market sees strategic value in this expansion.

With recurring revenue locked in, a scalable cloud platform, and proven demand in U.S. schools, Qoria appears to be a stock with momentum. We believe there is a clear runway for continued growth, particularly with the Republican primaries heating up.

Analysts from Bell Potter and Morgans Financial have also expressed optimism, citing the potential for additional U.S. states to adopt Qoria’s solution if the Ohio rollout proves successful.

 

Conclusion: A Well‑Timed Expansion with Political Tailwinds?

In our view, Qoria is well positioned to take advantage of shifting dynamics in U.S. education. The Ohio deal is not merely a win—it is a potential launchpad. If Donald Trump regains office, a more decentralised, security‑conscious education policy could create a fertile environment for Qoria to flourish.

That said, this remains a high‑growth, high‑risk play. It’d be wrong to put it in the same category as Austal (ASX:ASB) for instance, a company building ships in America. Investors should watch closely how the company executes the Ohio rollout and whether other states follow suit. However, if the stars align politically and operationally, Qoria could be one of ASX’s unexpected beneficiaries of Trump’s disruptive policies.

 

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FAQs

• What exactly does Qoria’s software do in schools?

  Qoria provides a real‑time monitoring platform that helps teachers and administrators detect harmful digital behaviours, such as cyberbullying, self‑harm searches, or exposure to explicit content. It also integrates with classroom tools and ensures compliance with student privacy laws.

• Why is the Ohio deal so important for Qoria?

  Ohio marks Qoria’s largest international contract to date, covering more than 1.8 million students. It validates the platform’s capability at scale and offers a case study for further expansion into other U.S. states.

• How could Trump’s policies help Qoria?

  Trump’s platform promotes school safety, decentralised education policy, and increased support for public‑private partnerships. This could lead to faster adoption of edtech platforms like Qoria, especially in Republican‑led states.

• Is Qoria competing with any U.S. companies?

  Yes, Qoria competes with platforms such as GoGuardian, Securly, and Bark. However, its integrated focus on behavioural analysis, real‑time alerts, and international compliance provides a differentiated edge.

• What are the investment risks with Qoria?

  Investors should monitor potential U.S. policy changes, competitive pressures from local providers, and compliance challenges with state and federal education regulations. Currency fluctuations may also affect financials.