Finding the X Factor in EdTech startups across Africa
Throughout our Ecosystem events, we collect the judges and audience feedback for each startup pitching to see what factors above others led to them winning the competition and earning their place in the Global Startup Super League. In EdTechX Africa, three key factors emerged including problem analysis, creative solutions as well as sustainability and growth. The winning startups in each city successfully targeted all 3 factors leading to their invitation to the Super League finals at EdTechX 2019.
In addition to this, the audience also shared their feedback. Their focus lent more towards gauging a deeper understanding of the targeted problem, creativity and differentiation as well as potential growth.
Problem Analysis:
One of the fundamental areas that EdTech was trying to solve was that of accessibility. 50% of children out of school worldwide are living in Africa. “Quality without access will lead to inequality and exclusion; access without quality will limit the potential and would not bring [about] the desired results” as stated by the Ghanian minister during and address in 2018. Three of the five winners had identified this and saw their product as one of the solutions.
Paper Video is a company created by a team of South African teachers and offers online and offline access to video lessons. Offline accessibility connects students to quality teachers even if they cannot afford or reach an internet connection.
Another startup was CRSP DSGN, who aims to make STEM education more readily available for students across Africa. Typically, resources seem to be either unattainable or unaffordable. However, by developing low cost educational products like a robotics toy, the founders aim to spark STEAM curiosity for those in the developing world.
Finally, Christina Bwana, from the leading African edutainment company Ubongo, shared “ In Tanzania, 55% of 10–16 years old fail baseline math and reading tests set for an 8-year-old, and over half of the primary students do not own a single textbook.” Therefore, to help Africa’s next generation realize their full potential, Ubongo creates localised and multiform educational media that reaches over 11 million households through accessible technologies.
Creative Solutions:
Creativity was key to intriguing and capturing the audience’s attention. Each of the winners had a unique proposition, standing out from their competitors.
Ubongo embraces powerful and impactful storytelling that has been proven to increase learning outcomes. Through cartoon characters such as Akili, African children gain foundational skills in a fun and innovative ways.
CRSP DSGN has created the LCERT (low cost educational robotics toy) that is both reusable and also easily integrate into Africa’s existing curriculum. In a 2018 pilot across five schools, learners were reported to be highly engaged in the STEAM classroom.
Tech Kidz Africa, a technology academy, have customized robotic kits for design thinking, robotics, and coding. Furthermore, by partnering with ‘Close the Gap,’ kids can go on local and global exchange programs where innovation is encouraged.
Sustainability & Growth
But it’s not enough to develop a solution to a defined problem. The winning startups have made their impact sustainable by adopting sound business models.
Through collaborations with curated partners and the local government, Papervideo now seeks to scale across South Africa. Utilising the feedback from over 100 schools, Paper Video has proven the market viability of their products and are ready for expansion.
BAG Innovation saw their growth through universities and BVET across not only Rwanda but the rest of East Africa. They are looking to expand their experience-based learning model to reach over 4 million university students and recent graduates.
By following the human-centred design process, Ubongo ensures high engagement and effectiveness. Furthermore, by diversifying the mediums used (such as television programs, radio features, and mobile phone applications), they are continuously scaling distribution.
Addressing all of these elements are what is driving success for EdTech startups in Africa. By creating unique solutions that cater specifically to the problems faced across the continent, companies like Ubongo, CRSP DSGN, Tech Kidz Africa, Bag Innovation and Paper Video will go on to be some of the most successful EdTech startups in the industry.
We will be hosting the EdTechXAfrica Ecosystem events again in February 2020. To find out more and register your interest, visit edtechxafrica.com
