Edtech, besides fintech, increasingly adding value to the global burgeoning tech ecosystem besides. Since the past few years, a good number of online classrooms have sprung up. Buoyed by the pandemic-induced digital life, edtech startups have accelerated to unprecedented height, as learners around the world significantly embrace online tutorials.
In this evolution of learning, Nigeria is increasingly becoming visible. The West African country has witnessed growing number of startups in the online learning business, securing millions of dollars in investment – and they are not stopping yet.
Nigerian Edtech startup, Teesas, has raised $1.6 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Haresh Aswani, Tolaram Group’s Africa managing director, with the participation of Olivegreen Advisory Partners, an Africa-focused venture studio, and other angel investors.
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The startup is aiming to expand its operations into new markets and also launch a marketplace that will connect learners with tutors for private lessons.
Founded by Osayi Izedonmwen barely two months ago, Teesas’ growth has accelerated in such a short period due to its unique services that are tailored to solve some of the frictions in Nigeria’s early schools.
“We started beta testing around August this year, and fully launched the android version in November. Already Teesas has over 150,000 downloads at the Google Play store, where we are now growing by at least 20% every week,” Izedonmwen told TechCrunch.
The startup provides a platform where educators and learners engage seamlessly and efficiently, to facilitate a fun and effective learning experience via the deployment of technology and the adoption of local culture and dialects.
Teesas has well-developed content in concordance with Nigeria’s national curriculum and is delivered to learners in both live and recorded formats, through a subscription program that starts at $6 a month. In addition to regular school work, the startup also offers local language classes.
Nigerian parents are becoming worried about growing cases of bullying at schools, and are beginning to see online classes as a solution. Teesas is building on this concern among others to provide alternative educational services to Nigerians.
“Live classes deal with concepts where learners have challenges. The learners sit with teachers in small remote classes of 10 or 15 for a personalized engagement, and to get more rigor into the teaching process,” said Izedonmwen.
With this funding and its rapid adoption, Teesas hopes to develop full-curriculum modules for learners aged up to 12 years. The edtech is also working to introduce life-skill classes in the first half of next year to prepare learners for self-discovery. It also offers anti-bullying lessons.
“We foresee a future where kids don’t have to attend in-person classes because they can cover entire curriculums on an app, and be ready enough for their secondary school entrance exams,” he said.
While the pilot phase of its edtech services is focused on Nigeria, Teesas plans to launch a tutor marketplace and enter new markets in Francophone, East, and Southern Africa.
“Teesas is going to have the biggest impact on the future of education in Africa. And I really want to be certain that I’m putting my best effort in leading that transformation – that’s why I’m focusing on it fully,” he said.
With this pace, Teesas is expected to raise more funds in the near future, and expand to several other countries in Africa, especially those with educational challenges similar to Nigeria’s.
“We believe in the mission Izedonmwen and the Teesas team has set forth on, and we are confident that they are best suited to crack the challenge of using technology to enhance access to quality education across Africa,” Haresh Aswani said while commenting on the investment.