Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The 'Tech education for All' project aims to provide k-12 students across the country and continent with essential tech skills through a comprehensive curricula, online platforms, and ensuring equitable access to tech education.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

The Tech education for all is a transformative initiative aimed at ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and excel in technology. By leveraging on different approaches we aim to create a future where tech education is accessible, inclusive and impactful. This project will not only prepare students for the digital economy but also foster a culture of innovation and lifelong learning, driving social equity and economic growth across the country and continent. The approaches will be: 1.A tailored curriculum relevant to african needs 2.An accessible online learning platform. 3. Teacher trainings 4. Tech Hubs and labs Expected outcomes: Increased tech literacy Equitable access Skilled workforce Empowered educators

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

1. Skill gap deficiency, unlike traditional subjects that are introduced to students from K-12, digital literacy is widespread in the current workspace. We want to introduce students to tech education as early as possible, thus it being familiar as they advance to tertiary education. This makes it easier for tertiary institutions to tailor workplace specific courses. 2. Inequitable access to tech education. Many students especially those in underserved or remote areas, lack access to comprehensive tech education. This results in a disparity in digital literacy and tech skills among students from different socio economic backgrounds. 3. Lack of an engaging and relevant curriculum. The absence of a standardized engaging and relevant tech curriculum can leave students unprepared for future careers in the digital economy. Many existing curricula fail to inspire or rather are unrelated to African related topics, making students disengage.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Future-Ready Skills: Prepares students with essential digital skills, including coding, robotics, cybersecurity, and digital literacy, which are crucial for success in the modern workforce. Enhanced Learning Engagement: Interactive and multimedia-rich content makes learning more engaging and enjoyable, fostering a positive attitude towards education and technology. Teacher Empowerment: Provides teachers with the necessary training and resources to effectively teach technology subject

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

1. K-12 Students Primary Beneficiaries: Students from kindergarten to 12th grade across various regions, including urban, suburban, rural, and remote areas. 2. Underserved and Marginalized Groups: Students from low-income families, minority communities, and those in geographically isolated regions who traditionally have limited access to quality tech education. 3..Educators and Teachers: Professional Development. Teachers who will receive training and resources to enhance their ability to deliver effective technology education. Increased Confidence and Competence: Educators who benefit from ongoing support and access to the latest teaching methodologies and technologies. 4.Schools and Educational Institutions Infrastructure Improvement: Schools that will receive necessary tech infrastructure like labs, hubs, and updated equipment. Curriculum Enhancement: Institutions that will adopt comprehensive and standardized tech curricula.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-07-04

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Asila Victor- Cofounder. A stakeholder in Big data and analytics.the visionary behind our tech-driven journey towards accessibility and inclusivity. With an unwavering passion for big data and analytics, he possesses a remarkable ability to decipher complex datasets and extract actionable insights. His expertise transcends conventional boundaries, as he envisions a world where technology becomes a catalyst for societal empowerment. Driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, he spearheads our efforts to harness the power of data for the greater good. Whether it's optimizing user experiences, enhancing product functionalities, or predicting emerging trends, his analytical prowess fuels our quest to make technology accessible to all.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.chicodelab.tech/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Ed Tech

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Job Creation and Economic Mobility: The coding school contributes to the creation of employment as well as skilled workforce, which in turn drives economic growth and reduces poverty by providing job opportunities and upward mobility Empowerment Through Digital Skills: By teaching coding and computer science skills, my school equips students with valuable digital skills that are increasingly in demand in today's job market. These skills enhance their employability prospects, offering a pathway out of poverty.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Digital Literacy and Skills Development: By offering coding education, we equip students with essential digital literacy and computational thinking skills. This prepares them for the digital-centric world, enhancing their ability to succeed academically and professionally. Innovative Teaching Methods: Our school employs innovative teaching methods and curriculum design tailored to the needs and interests of K-12 students. This fosters engagement, critical thinking, and creativity, enhancing the overall quality of education. Access STEM Education: Our coding school expands access STEM education, particularly in the field of computer science. This helps to address the global shortage of STEM professionals and promotes inclusivity in education. Teacher training and professional development. We will offer training and professional development of teachers, empowering them with the skills needed to provide high quality coding education effectively.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

gender equality in o coding school involves implementing various strategies to ensure an inclusive and equitable environment for all students. Here are a few ways: 1. Inclusive Curriculum Diverse Examples: We have ensured the course materials and examples represent a variety of genders and backgrounds. Highlighting Contributions: Include stories and contributions of female and non-binary figures in technology and coding. 2. Recruitment and Outreach Targeted Outreach: Conduct outreach programs to schools and communities encouraging girls and non-binary students to consider coding. Scholarships and Financial Aid: Offer scholarships specifically for underrepresented genders to encourage their participation. 3. Mentorship and Role Models Mentorship Programs: Establish mentorship programs connecting female and non-binary students with experienced mentors in the tech industry. Guest Speakers: Invite successful female and non-binary professionals to speak and inspire students.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Providing Market-Relevant Skills Industry-Aligned Curriculum: We have designed courses that align with current industry demands and future trends to ensure students acquire relevant and in-demand skills. Facilitating Employment Opportunities Job Placement Services: We plan to establish dedicated job placement cell to help students find employment by connecting them with potential employers. Supporting Entrepreneurship Startup Incubators: Provide support for students interested in starting their own tech ventures through incubator programs that offer mentorship, funding, and resources.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Accessibility and Inclusive Curriculum One of our main targeted audience is the marginalized group whom, access to tech education is a bleak. a.We aim for our LMS to be accessible by ensuring its low bandwidth is marginalized areas, and downloadable since most students access the internet through phones. We also want to partner with community hubs and cyber cafes to offer the coursed, b..Culturally Relevant Content: Integrate culturally relevant examples and case studies into the curriculum to ensure relatability and engagement. 2. Targeted Recruitment and Outreach Community Engagement: Actively engage with marginalized communities to raise awareness about coding education opportunities. 3.Financial Support and Scholarships Full and Partial Scholarships: Offer scholarships specifically for students from marginalized backgrounds to cover tuition fees, materials, and other expenses.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Integrate Climate Action Topics into the Curriculum Climate Science Basics: Include modules that cover the basics of climate science, the causes of climate change, and its impacts on the environment and society. Use Real-Time Climate Data Data Analysis Skills: Teach students how to use real-time climate data for analysis and to create visualizations that can help raise awareness and drive action. Develop Climate-Focused Projects Project-Based Learning: Encourage students to work on projects that address climate-related issues, such as developing apps for environmental monitoring, data analysis tools for climate data, or platforms to promote sustainability.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

3

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

3

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

In 2022, 56,000 students graduated from ICT courses and a very high percentage of the number were not ready for the workplace. This could be attributed to the late exposure of students to Tech education which is only actively offered in tertiary institutions. We aim to expose students, K-12 to tech in order for them to make informed decisions career wise, and also give the tertiary institutions the opportunity to prepare workplace relevant courses instead of beginner courses. We are not the innovators but, the education sector is vast and supply is low.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our competitors are after school Tech education providers. What makes us stand out, our aim is to target all students both from urban and rural areas. This is by providing a learning management system that is available to all. We aim at making the lms accessible to students in marginalized areas. We also want to include a self paced learning module, with a curated curriculum that students can follow without the help of a tutor.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?