Nigeria is at the forefront of educational technology innovation in Africa, with several EdTech startups paving the way for accessible and quality education.
These startups, led by visionary founders, are using technology to bridge educational gaps, enhance learning experiences, and empower both students and teachers.
In this post, we highlight the top 10 Nigeria EdTech startups and their founders, delving into their unique offerings, funding achievements, and the transformative impact they have on the educational landscape.
Nigeria EdTech Startups and Their Founders
1. uLesson
Founder: Sim Shagaya
Year Founded: 2019
Funding: uLesson has raised a total of $25.6 million, including a $15 million Series B round led by Nielsen Ventures and Tencent. Previous rounds include $7.5 million in Series A funding led by Owl Ventures in January 2021 and a $3.1 million seed round in 2019.
Description: uLesson provides a comprehensive learning experience through a digital curriculum for primary and secondary school students. It offers video lessons, quizzes, live classes, and personalized tutoring sessions to enhance student performance.
Unique Features: The platform includes interactive elements like polls and leaderboards for a more engaging learning environment. uLesson has expanded its curriculum to include not only STEM subjects but also social sciences and financial accounting.
Founder’s Background: Sim Shagaya is a well-known entrepreneur, previously the founder and CEO of Konga.com. His experience in e-commerce and digital innovation has positioned him as a key figure in Nigeria’s tech space. He aims to make uLesson the leading EdTech platform in Africa.
Impact: uLesson has seen over 2 million downloads, 12.3 million videos watched, and 25.6 million questions answered on its platform, helping students across Nigeria and beyond achieve better educational outcomes.
2. AltSchool Africa
Founder: Adewale Yusuf
Year Founded: 2021
Funding: AltSchool Africa raised a total of $4 million in funding, including $1 million pre-seed in 2022 and $3 million from Angaza Capital in 2023.
Description: AltSchool Africa offers programs in software engineering, product design, and data analysis. It operates on a “learn now, pay later” model, making tech education accessible to students who may not have traditional academic backgrounds.
Unique Features: The platform focuses on creating a comprehensive learning experience through structured courses, hands-on projects, and mentorship from industry professionals.
Founder’s Background: Adewale Yusuf is a tech advocate and entrepreneur who previously founded Techpoint Africa, a leading technology news platform. He also co-founded TalentQL, a talent management company.
Impact: With 60,000 learners from over 100 countries, AltSchool Africa has gained traction as a go-to platform for those looking to break into the tech industry.
3. Edukoya
Founder: Honey Ogundeyi
Year Founded: 2021
Funding: Edukoya secured $3.5 million in pre-seed funding, making it the highest pre-seed round raised by an African EdTech startup led by a female founder.
Description: Edukoya connects learners with digital curriculum content and on-demand teachers, primarily targeting secondary school students preparing for exams like WAEC and JAMB.
Unique Features: The app features live classes, a question bank, performance analytics, and real-time chat options to connect students with expert tutors.
Founder’s Background: Honey Ogundeyi has a robust background in tech and marketing, having worked at Google and served as the Founding Chief Marketing Officer of Kuda Bank. She was also the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub Country Director.
Impact: Edukoya is transforming the way students prepare for exams by offering personalized and accessible learning solutions.
4. Kibo School
Founder: Ope Bukola
Year Founded: 2021
Funding: Kibo School has raised a total of $2.4 million, including $2 million in seed funding led by Neo, a venture capital firm founded by one of the co-founders of Code.org.
Description: Kibo School is an online institution focused on providing STEM education to African students. It offers courses in software engineering, data science, and product management.
Unique Features: Kibo uses a project-based learning approach, where students work on real-world projects and gain practical experience to build their professional portfolios.
Founder’s Background: Ope Bukola previously worked at Google as a Product Manager and Product Lead for Google Classroom. She has extensive experience in educational technology and product management.
Impact: Kibo School is making quality STEM education accessible to thousands of students across Africa.
5. Teesas Education
Founder: Osayi Izedonmwen
Year Founded: 2021
Funding: Teesas raised $1.6 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Tolaram Group’s Africa Managing Director, Haresh Aswani, and other angel investors.
Description: Teesas provides educational content in local and national languages, focusing on early childhood and primary school education.
Unique Features: Teesas offers interactive lessons in core subjects, designed to help young learners master foundational skills. The platform also features culturally relevant content to ensure inclusivity.
Founder’s Background: Osayi Izedonmwen has a strong background in tech and entrepreneurship. He previously worked at ExxonMobil, where he held various leadership positions in engineering and operations.
Impact: Teesas is bridging the gap in early childhood education by delivering quality content in multiple languages, making learning accessible to more children
6. Klas
Founder: Nathan Nwachukwu
Year Founded: 2022
Funding: Klas has raised $1.36 million in pre-seed funding, led by Ingressive Capital, with additional support from Techstars and HoaQ Capital.
Description: Klas is an online platform that allows users to create and sell ebooks, courses, and live classes. It provides tools for class management, scheduling, and video calls, making it easy for tutors to reach their audience.
Unique Features: Klas enables users to monetize their content and provides a seamless experience for both tutors and learners.
Founder’s Background: Nathan Nwachukwu is a young entrepreneur who dropped out of Carleton University to focus on building Klas. His background in software engineering has been instrumental in the platform’s development.
Impact: Klas is revolutionizing the way educators share knowledge, making it easier for anyone to create and monetize educational content.
7. Semicolon Africa
Founder: Sam Immanuel
Year Founded: 2018
Funding: Semicolon raised $1.2 million in a seed round led by Angel and VC investors such as Launch Africa and Cosonance Investment Manager.
Description: Semicolon offers training in software engineering and entrepreneurship, with a focus on producing problem-solvers who can contribute to the local tech ecosystem.
Unique Features: The platform combines technical training with business skills, preparing graduates for both tech roles and entrepreneurial ventures.
Founder’s Background: Sam Immanuel has extensive experience in tech sales and management, having worked at Oracle and SAP before founding Semicolon.
Impact: Semicolon has trained over 500 software engineers, many of whom have secured jobs in top tech companies.
8. EDVES
Founders: Dimeji Falana and Yinka Okubanjo
Year Founded: 2016
Funding: EDVES has raised $766,500 in seed funding, including $120,000 from Chinook Capital and GC Fund CChub, and $575,000 in 2021.
Description: EDVES provides school management software that automates administrative and educational processes, making it easier for schools to operate efficiently.
Unique Features: EDVES offers tools for report generation, lesson planning, and student performance tracking, making it a comprehensive solution for schools.
Founders’ Backgrounds: Dimeji Falana and Yinka Okubanjo both have backgrounds in software engineering and product management.
Impact: EDVES is used by over 700 schools in Nigeria, helping to streamline school operations and enhance learning outcomes.
9. Utiva
Founder: Eyitayo Ogunmola
Year Founded: 2018
Funding: Utiva raised $500,000 from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE).
Description: Utiva provides online training in tech skills, including data science, product management, and digital marketing.
Unique Features: The platform partners with leading companies to offer apprenticeship opportunities for graduates.
Founder’s Background: Eyitayo Ogunmola has a rich history in tech education and social impact, having worked at Creative Associates International and Facebook.
Impact: Utiva has trained over 110,000 students from 30 cities, connecting them with employment opportunities.
10. 9jacodekids
Founder: Ugochukwu Nkwocha
Year Founded: 2016
Funding: 9jacodekids raised $350,000 in seed funding from Bolaji Balogun, secured during the Ultima Lions’ Den Season 2 reality TV show.
Unique Features: 9jacodekids offers coding and robotics programs for children aged 4-16 years.
Founder’s Background: Ugochukwu Nkwocha has a background in engineering and computer network administration, with a master’s degree from the University of Portsmouth.
Achievements: 9jacodekids has trained over 5,000 students in coding, robotics, and other STEM subjects. It is a leader in STEM education for young learners in Nigeria.
These top 10 Nigeria EdTech startups are not only redefining education in Nigeria but are also making significant strides in the global EdTech landscape. With strong leadership, substantial funding, and innovative solutions, they are set to continue making a lasting impact on education across Africa.
Reference:
– Nairametrics
