Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

We aim to help Kenyan students who are looking to study in a UK secondary school find the right place to suit their and their families' needs. We look to find the perfect school to fit the child and the family while making the whole process easier.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Here at The Overseas Placement Consultants (TOP) we aim to help guide you, the whole family, through the process of obtaining a placement at the best UK boarding school for your child. With over 14 years of teaching experience in both Kenya and the UK I have helped students to gain places at some of the top schools in the world. While the process can often be confusing and tiresome we are here to help smooth it out and make sure that you understand the steps and most importantly find the school that fits your child’s ambitions, likes and needs best. We also take UK Schools to Kenya and arrange events where parents and students can meet them in person and learn more about their next potential destination. This approach ensures a personalised and effective way of discovering the best place to study abroad. Whether you are a School or a parent have a look at our website to find out more.

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

There are many misconceptions about various things when deciding which UK boarding school to send your child to. Whilst also understanding that there are thousands of options to choose from. We are here to make these misconceptions clearer both for the schools in the UK and parents in Kenya.

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

Helping families to understand what a scholarship or a bursary is, organising visits to schools that you know you already like instead of multiple visits to schools just to look at, and being a direct line of communication between the schools and the families to make the process more simple and understandable so that the child is at the centre of the decision and will be going to the perfect school for them to thrive. We offer the best advice to which school will suit your child and the family and will do the hard work for you. Whilst having that direct line with the school means that they know who they are speaking to rather than talking to 'just another set of parents'. We will never recommend a school that we haven't visited personally and been able to gauge a feel for.

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

Any student who is looking to study in the UK for secondary school, regardless of which age they are moving and their families. While also helping UK schools to discover more about the wonderful opportunities and students that Kenya has to offer.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-02-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

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

I am an ambitious individual and a passionate sportsperson who is always striving to improve. I continue to play competitive football, rugby and cricket in different leagues in my spare time. I worked in schools for over 15 years with 3 years as Director of Sport in a large co-educational preparatory International school in Kenya. Throughout my career I have worked with a number of different personalities and with people from different backgrounds. I have always managed to make good connections wherever I go and I work well within a team. I have learnt many different ways in how to deal and manage different people and I make it an aim to connect with as many individuals as possible so that we can all work together to achieve the same goals. After 14 years in the education sector with the last 4 years being in a senior management position, I am also able to bring my own personality to whichever role I have been in, making sure that others around me are doing well

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

https://www.theoverseasplacement.com/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Education

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We aim to find students who have no opportunity to attend a school in the UK with connections to schools so that they might be picked up on a bursary and enjoy the opportunities that follow.

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

5

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

A big part of our work is providing sports tournaments in Kenya for students to attend and for schools to host/sponsor.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We connect with as many schools as possible in the UK to be able to find that perfect match for the student and their family. From the very best schools in the country to any other school there is an option there to suit any student and we aim to provide that connection to help make the process of applying, and securing a placement more simple and more accessible to all.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We help both boys and girls with their applications to whichever school suits their needs.

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

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Part of what we are trying to help families with is lowering their travel time and expenses. While visiting schools in the UK is a big part of choosing somewhere to attend, at the moment a lot of parents make multiple trips a year to look at schools. We aim to provide them with enough information so that they only have to make one trip to visit a couple of schools that they have put on their list already.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Helping these students achieve placements at some of these schools will enable them to access more opportunities when it comes to attending universities and applying for jobs in the future. Many of them bring back their experience and knowledge to Kenya in their adulthood.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

As Nairobi is developing the idea that many events for UK schools to host or sponsor is an enticing one for schools. At the same time, there are more spaces and more jobs to be provided when such events take place. Such events can only be good for a developing City.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Again, the opportunities that many Kenyans do not have to attend a UK boarding school potentially is becoming more open to them. They can attend free events, and if the school likes what they see and speaks to the student and their family, at the very least an open dialogue has been introduced where it wouldn't have been before.

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

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

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

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

One of the main aims is connections. Creating connections between the UK and Kenya through education. There are so many ways that this can be done. Creating opportunities for UK schools to support certain charities. Providing the connection for UK schools and Kenyan schools to have exchange programs. Connecting UK schools with Kenyan families that would like to learn more about the opportunities available to them.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

6

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

4

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

4

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

3

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

5

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

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

We are the only Kenyan-based company that provides this kind of advice and service for Kenyan families. We prefer to speak face to face rather than on Zoom or via email and have experience working in Kenyan schools so we understand the Kenyan students well. I found that when I worked in a school in Nairobi that parents were very lost, confused and misinformed over which UK schools to choose for their child. I always thought there must be a better way of doing this so that the student goes to the right place for them and the families don't overspend on needless flights to the UK to see schools that they are unsure of.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

There are some International companies that offer similar services. However, we are a cheaper and more personable option to them. We are based in Nairobi and will always meet face-to-face. We take time to speak with the parents, but also to the student so that they understand what is going on and understand that the decision is for them to make as it is them who are going to school.

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

Yes - I am open to anyone who has ideas or who I can work with in any capacity. A big part of understanding students, as a company, is having female input when helping teenage girls and younger decide which school they would like to attend. I work closely with a number of local female entrepreneurs