In a jubilant culmination of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, Co-Creation Hub Nigeria (CcHUB Nigeria) joined hands with the Mastercard Foundation to host a spectacular Demo Day at the Podium Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos. This event marked the triumphant conclusion of the 2023 cohort’s six-month journey, showcasing the groundbreaking achievements of 12 innovative Nigerian EdTech start-ups.
### A Journey of Innovation and Acceleration
The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, unveiled in February 2023, initiated a rigorous selection process resulting in the handpicked 12 EdTech companies. These companies, driven by visionary founders, embarked on a transformative six-month accelerator program. This comprehensive program provided indispensable guidance on diverse fronts, including the science of learning, investment, product development, financial management, and communication strategy.
The Demo Day served as the grand stage for these EdTech companies to unveil their products, sharing the strides taken over the intensive acceleration period with potential investors and customers. Throughout this journey, the 12 Fellows collectively impacted an impressive 312,000 learners, a testament to the potency and scalability of their EdTech solutions.
The trailblazing 2023 cohort
The 2023 cohort of CcHUB Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship stands as a beacon of innovation, addressing various facets of educational challenges. Let’s delve into the diverse solutions offered by each of the 12 Fellows:
1. EduTAMS:A multi-tenant cloud-based school management system focusing on API-based connectivity and interoperability for basic and tertiary schools.
2. 9ijakids: An online platform creating captivating learning experiences for children using educational games.
3. Gradely: An empowering solution providing parents and schools with tools for personalized learning through interactive videos, practice tests, and live tutoring.
4. Money Africa: A platform offering financial literacy education for both adults and children through digital content, advisory services, and an online community.
5. NKENNE: An African language learning app with a cultural focus for Africans across the continent and in the diaspora.
6. Davtonlearn: A SaaS learning management system designed for corporate organizations to onboard and train staff in alignment with corporate objectives.
7. **Qataloog:** An online curator of curriculum-relevant content for learners across various levels and disciplines in K-12, tertiary, and TVET education.
8. SabiTeach: An online learning platform connecting learners with qualified teachers for private sessions, also offering tutoring services for children with special needs.
9. Schoolinka: A digital platform enhancing the quality of education by upskilling teachers and accelerating top teaching talent.
10. Gotocourse: An EdTech solution providing a comprehensive virtual school platform for creators and students to connect and learn.
11. Kunda Kids Ltd: An EdTech App offering African-inspired stories and language learning content for children.
12. Schoola: A learning platform for K-12 schools offering gamification and tools for fun, engaging, and interactive lesson preparation.
A boost for growth
As a testament to the success of their endeavors, each EdTech company received $100,000 in funding, contributing to the growth and scaling of their businesses. Importantly, these innovators will continue to receive post-acceleration advisory support from CcHUB over the next 12 months.
A vision for the future
The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is aligned with the broader goal of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning. This initiative aims to foster the growth of an impactful African EdTech ecosystem, catalyzing innovation and advancing promising practices in technology-driven learning and teaching across the continent.
As the 2023 cohort basks in the glow of their achievements, the call for entries for the next cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program is open. This ongoing partnership between CcHUb and the Foundation is set to usher in another cohort of 12 start-ups in 2024, further contributing to the evolution and enhancement of the African EdTech landscape.
