3 Kenyan Startups Selected To Pitch At The ‘Next Billion’ EdTech Prize In Dubai
Three Kenyan startups are among the ten edtech startups from Africa selected to pitch at this year’s Next Billion EdTech Prize. A total of 30 startups from across the world are expected to pitch at the competition, with 10 coming from Africa.
Next Billion EdTech Prize was founded in 2018 by Indian billionaire Sunny Varkey’s Varkey Foundation, to recognize innovation in education in low income and emerging markets.
The three Kenyan Startups are M-Shule, an AI platform using SMS to continuously analyze each learner’s ability in order to generate personalized learning tracks and build their skills. It provides an integrated solution – easily accessible through SMS for parents and teachers, with a web app for school directors. Also in the list is Eneza Education, a comprehensive virtual tutor providing universal access to affordable, quality, lifelong learning through mobile technology.
The Mobile Learning Platform helps tackle Africa’s problems of illiteracy, school dropouts, high textbook costs and lack of quality feedback for learners. It has evolved from access on any mobile phone through USSD & SMS, to multi-device- smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Learners access the platform via mobile web, desktop, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram and teachers and school administrators are empowered by being equipped with relevant content.
eLimu, also made it to the list. The startup tackles the literacy crisis in Africa by focusing on local languages, eLimu makes literacy apps with relatable content, in local languages, and with scientifically proven pedagogy. eLimu relies on storytelling traditions and technology to promote learning and attainment, motivation and retention with contextualized learning.
Other startups include ScholarX from Nigeria, Etudesk from Cote D’ Ivoire, PraxiLabs from Egypt, LangBot from Ethiopia, Zelda from South Africa, Ubongo and Mtabe both from Tanzania.
The 30 startups will compete in a pitch contest to be held at the Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF) 2019 on the 22-24 March in Dubai. The forum will bring together over 1500 delegates, venture capitalists, academics, remarkable teachers, education ministers and stakeholder from around the world to solve the most pressing issues in global education, culminating in the award of the Next Billion Edtech Prize. Varkey Foundation will also be hosting the $1 million Global Teacher Prize on the same day to celebrate outstanding teachers globally.
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Featured Image Credits: Eneza Education
