South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Thuto is an AI-powered tool providing instant math problem solving and detailed step-by-step solutions to make learning intuitive for students in Africa.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Thuto AI is an edtech startup using artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide personalized math tutoring and problem-solving for students in Africa. Our mobile app allows students to simply snap a photo of a math question and receive instant step-by-step guided solutions with detailed explanations. This makes learning math more intuitive. Our adaptive AI tutoring system analyzes patterns in students' mistakes to recommend personalized practice. Thuto aims to make quality math education more accessible, engaging, and affordable across Africa. We offer detailed solutions across a wide math curriculum to build conceptual mastery. Our goal is to empower the next generation of African students and make math fun!

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

Math education in Africa faces major challenges like overcrowded classrooms, lack of quality teachers, and limited access to personalized support. As a result, students struggle with foundational concepts, develop fear of math, and underperform academically. Thuto is tackling this issue by using AI to provide personalized math tutoring at scale to students in Africa. Our technology offers detailed, guided solutions 24/7, making high-quality instruction available on-demand. This helps students build conceptual mastery, gain confidence in math, and overcome fears. Thuto makes math learning more engaging and intuitive. Our adaptive system caters to each student's strengths and weaknesses. By leveraging AI, we can provide personalized math support to millions of students, regardless of location or school resources. Thuto is working to revolutionize and improve math outcomes for the next generation of African students.

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

Personalized Learning - Our adaptive AI identifies knowledge gaps and recommends customized practice, feedback, and lesson plans tailored to each student's needs. This enables more engaged and effective learning. Detailed Conceptual Explanations - Thuto provides in-depth step-by-step guided solutions that foster deeper understanding of methodology and math concepts beyond just answers. This improves comprehension. Accessible and Affordable - By leveraging AI tutoring, we make quality math instruction available 24/7 via mobile phones. Our tech-enabled service is more affordable than human tutoring, making math help accessible to all students in Africa regardless of income level. Multilingual - Available in all 11 official South African languages

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

Thuto AI's personalized math tutoring is designed to serve K-12 students across Africa who lack access to quality math education and individualized instruction in school. Our core targets are: Students in remote areas without access to expert teachers. Thuto makes quality instruction accessible. Students in overcrowded classrooms where teachers cannot provide personalized attention. Our AI tutoring fills the support gap. Struggling students and those with learning disabilities in math. Thuto's adaptive learning caters to their needs. High-achieving students in need of more challenging materials. Thuto provides enrichment resources. Students without financial means for private tutoring. Our platform offers an affordable alternative. Overall, Thuto aims to make personalized math learning accessible to all students in Africa regardless of economic, geographic, or academic advantages. Our AI tutor acts as an equalizer in math education.

01.05 When was your company established?

2024-01-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

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.)

Mohau Mbangela (Co-Founder & CEO): Experience in business and startups Selected as one of Africa's Top 50 Most Impactful Young Leaders out of 60 000+ applications Nominated as techprenuer and most promising founder in Southern Africa by Foya Africa (2023) Brings leadership, business strategy, and entrepreneurship expertise Tebogo Selahle (Co-Founder & CTO): Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria 4+ years of software development experience Worked at Capitec Bank and Takealot Provides technical capabilities in AI, machine learning, and software engineering In summary, Mohau contributes strong leadership, business, and entrepreneurship skills as CEO, highlighted by accolades like Africa's Top 50 Most Impactful Young Leaders. Tebogo brings critical technical expertise in AI and engineering with his computer science degree and software development experience at major companies. Their complementary backgrounds make them a well-rounded founding team.

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

https://thutoai.com/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Education Technology

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

2

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

2

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

Thuto AI directly contributes to SDG 4 by providing an AI-powered adaptive tutoring platform to improve math education quality and outcomes for students in Africa. Our personalized and detailed math instruction helps make quality education more equitable and accessible.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Thuto AI promotes equal access to our math tutoring platform for both girls and boys. We empower female students to gain confidence and skills in STEM fields like mathematics.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

By improving math proficiency, Thuto AI helps prepare African youth for careers in fields like engineering, computer science, and other technical roles that require strong math skills. This promotes future decent work and economic growth.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

As an AI and mobile technology startup, Thuto AI contributes innovative infrastructure and platforms to promote math education and skills development at scale in Africa. We leverage innovation to expand access.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

By making high-quality, personalized math tutoring more affordable and accessible via mobile, Thuto AI helps bridge educational resource disparities and reduce inequalities for students in Africa.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

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

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

2

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.

4

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

3

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

While building on proven education concepts, our AI-powered tutoring platform uniquely combines adaptive learning technology, localized African content, mobile accessibility, and income-based micro-pricing to improve affordability and personalization. This tailored model specifically addresses unmet needs in the region for high-quality, affordable math tutoring at scale. By leveraging innovation in areas like machine learning, data analytics, and mobile delivery while customizing the product experience across languages, culture and curriculum, we are modernizing tutoring for 21st century African students. Our product is not completely novel, but rather the specialized application of technology and insights to serve the underserved. This purpose-driven innovation addresses a real market gap.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

1. Master Maths 2. Kumon 3. YouCanDoMaths Our key differentiators are our AI-driven personalization engine, mobile-centric delivery for broad access, localized African content, and discounted pricing models. We combine human tutor support with data-driven insights to tailor instruction. Our goal is to make quality tutoring accessible and affordable to all students. By innovating in these areas of adaptive learning, localized content, and micro-pricing, our platform stands apart in addressing the core barriers and needs of the region. We aim to drive better outcomes through purposeful innovation.

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