Klas, a Nigerian-based educational technology platform, has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to scale its online learning services globally.
The funding round was led by Ingressive Capital, with participation from Techstars, HoaQ Capital, and several angel investors.
Founded in 2022 by Nathan Nwachuku (CEO) and Lekan Adejumo (CTO), Klas aims to transform the digital learning space by offering a platform that enables users to create and sell online courses, ebooks, and live classes.
With this new investment, the company plans to expand its services, targeting up to 100,000 virtual schools worldwide by 2027.
Overview of Klas’ Offerings and Mission
Klas was established with the goal of democratizing education and making it easy for anyone to set up an online school.
It offers a variety of tools and features that cover class scheduling, payments, community interactions, analytics, and video conferencing.
The platform caters to various subjects, including coding, finance, art, design, and languages. By developing all its tools in-house, Klas avoids the use of third-party services like Zoom or Google Meet, ensuring a seamless and unique user experience.
Since its launch, Klas has attracted over 5,000 online schools (creators) and currently serves around 300,000 learners across more than 30 countries.
While most of its users are based in Nigeria, Klas has seen significant growth in international markets, especially in North America and India.
The startup has plans to introduce localized currency options to cater to its diverse user base and simplify transactions for international users.
Investor Support and Future Plans
Sunil Sharma, Managing Director of Techstars Toronto, expressed confidence in Klas and its leadership team, citing the startup’s potential to revolutionize online learning.
He mentioned that the follow-on investment by Techstars reflects their belief in the company’s vision and growth trajectory. The startup’s mission to become the “Shopify for education” has attracted attention due to its approach of creating a closed system that integrates all necessary tools for online learning.
With the new capital, Klas aims to enhance its existing platform and introduce new features tailored to large corporations.
The company is exploring a premium enterprise option priced at $199 per month, designed to help organizations upskill their employees. This move aligns with Klas’ goal to position itself as a cost-effective alternative to established platforms like Kajabi and Thinkific.
Impact and Future Vision
Klas envisions a future where setting up an online school is as straightforward as launching an e-commerce store.
The startup’s focus on accessibility and economic inclusion could significantly impact global education, particularly in emerging markets where traditional educational infrastructure is limited. By 2027, Klas aims to serve up to 100,000 online schools, positioning itself as a key player in the global edtech landscape.
This investment marks a critical milestone for the startup, empowering it to accelerate its expansion plans and develop a robust platform capable of supporting a diverse and growing global audience.
