Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

SUWK provides underserved Nigerian youths with market-driven vocational education and job placement, leveraging technology to bridge the skills gap and create pathways to economic opportunity.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Skill Up With Kahdsole (SUWK) is a youth-focused edtech social startup that tackles the critical challenges of unemployment and skills gaps in Nigeria. Through our innovative hybrid learning model, we provide accessible, market-driven vocational training and job placement support to underserved youth aged 18-30. By combining tutor-led online courses, hands-on workshops, and apprenticeships, we equip learners with practical skills in high-growth sectors such as auto mechanics, fashion designing, carpentry and many more. Our AI-powered platform personalizes the learning experience, matches graduates with job opportunities, and provides ongoing support for professional development. With a focus on inclusion and impact, SUWK has transformed over 2500 lives in just two years, achieving an over 40% job placement rate and a 150% average income increase among graduates. We are driving systemic change by empowering youths to break the cycle of poverty and build fulfilling careers.

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

In Nigeria, over 20 million young people face unemployment and limited access to quality vocational education, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and inequality. The traditional education system often fails to equip youths with the practical skills demanded by employers, while many vocational training programs are outdated, inaccessible, or disconnected from market needs. This skills mismatch contributes to high youth unemployment rates, estimated at 42.5%, and hinders inclusive economic growth. Marginalized youths, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and women, are disproportionately affected, lacking the opportunities and support to develop marketable skills and secure decent work. Without targeted interventions to bridge the skills gap and create pathways to employment, millions of young Nigerians risk being left behind, unable to realize their potential and contribute to the country's development.

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

- Accessible, market-driven vocational education: SUWK's hybrid learning model combines the flexibility of online courses with the depth of hands-on training, enabling underserved youth to acquire practical, in-demand skills at their own pace and without geographical barriers. - Personalized learning and job matching: Our AI-powered platform adapts to each learner's needs, recommending courses, resources, and job opportunities based on their skills, interests, and goals. This targeted approach maximizes engagement, completion rates, and employment outcomes. - Inclusion and empowerment: SUWK actively reaches out to marginalized youth, offering scholarships, stipends, and accommodations to ensure access for all. We prioritize gender equality and work to break down barriers to education and employment faced by women and disadvantaged groups.

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

SUWK's primary target beneficiaries are underserved youths aged 18-30 in Nigeria, with a focus on those from low-income backgrounds, women, and individuals facing barriers to education and employment. This includes: - Secondary school graduates who lack the resources or qualifications to pursue higher education - Out-of-school youths who have dropped out due to financial, social, or academic challenges - Unemployed or underemployed young adults seeking to acquire marketable skills and improve their livelihoods - Young women looking to break into male-dominated industries and achieve economic independence - Youths from marginalized communities with limited access to quality vocational training and job opportunities SUWK aims to bridge the opportunity gap and create a more inclusive, skilled, and productive workforce. We also work closely with employers, industry partners, and communities to ensure our programs align with needs and contribute to broader social and economic development.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-03-27

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

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.)

SUWK directly contributes to SDG 4 by providing accessible, quality, and relevant vocational education to underserved youth in Nigeria. Our hybrid learning model leverages technology to deliver engaging, personalized content that equips learners with practical skills aligned with industry needs. We prioritize inclusion, offering support to ensure participation from marginalized groups, and our curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, creativity, and lifelong learning. By bridging the skills gap and promoting equal access to vocational training, SUWK is helping to ensure inclusive and equitable education opportunities for all. Our impact is demonstrated by over 500 youth trained, high completion and satisfaction rates, and improved employment outcomes. We are transforming lives and communities by empowering youth with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in work and life.

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

https://suwkafrica.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/suwkhq/ https://www.facebook.com/suwkhq https://www.instagram.com/suwkhq https://x.com/suwkhq

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

SUWK directly contributes to the "No Poverty" goal by empowering underserved Nigerian youth with the skills and opportunities they need to secure decent work and improve their livelihoods. Our market-driven vocational training programs equip learners with practical, in-demand skills that enable them to access better-paying jobs or start their own businesses. By achieving an 40% job placement rate and a 150% average income increase among our graduates, we are helping to lift individuals and families out of poverty. Furthermore, our focus on inclusion and accessibility ensures that marginalized groups, such as low-income youths and women, have equal access to these transformative opportunities. By investing in human capital and promoting sustainable livelihoods, SUWK is driving long-term poverty reduction and contributing to a more equitable, prosperous society.

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

SUWK directly contributes to SDG 4 by providing accessible, quality, and relevant vocational education to underserved youths in Nigeria. Our hybrid learning model leverages technology to deliver engaging, personalized content that equips learners with practical skills aligned with industry needs. We prioritize inclusion, offering support to ensure participation from marginalized groups, and our curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, creativity, and lifelong learning. By bridging the skills gap and promoting equal access to vocational training, SUWK is helping to ensure inclusive and equitable education opportunities for all. Our impact is demonstrated by over 2500 youths trained, high completion and satisfaction rates, and improved employment outcomes. We are transforming lives and communities by empowering youth with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in work and life.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

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

Not directly applicable to 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

SUWK is driving decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) by equipping underserved Nigerian youths with market-driven skills and connecting them to meaningful employment opportunities. Our vocational training programs focus on high-growth sectors like auto mechanics, carpentry, fashion designing etc preparing graduates to meet the evolving demands of the labour market. Through our job placement support and partnerships with employers, we have achieved over 40% employment rate and a 150% average income increase among alumni. By matching skilled youths with decent work, we are promoting sustainable livelihoods, reducing poverty, and fostering inclusive economic development. SUWK's model also supports entrepreneurship and innovation, with some graduates going on to start their own businesses. We are harnessing the untapped potential of Africa's youth to drive productivity, competitiveness, and growth, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

SUWK contributes to industry innovation and infrastructure development in Nigeria by pioneering a new model for vocational education that leverages technology, partnerships, and market insights to deliver relevant, high-quality training at scale. Our AI-powered learning platform represents a significant innovation in the education sector, enabling personalized learning experiences, efficient progress tracking, and data-driven decision-making. By aligning our curricula with industry needs and collaborating closely with employers, we are fostering a more responsive, adaptive skills ecosystem that can support Nigeria's industrialization and economic diversification goals. Furthermore, our focus on training youth in key growth sectors such as construction, energy, and ICT is helping to build the human capital needed to develop and maintain critical infrastructure. By bridging the skills gap and promoting innovation, SUWK is laying the foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable economy

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

SUWK promotes reduced inequalities (SDG 10) by targeting underserved youths, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, women, and marginalized communities. We actively work to break down barriers to education and employment, offering scholarships, flexible learning options, and accommodations to ensure equal access. Our programs prioritize inclusion and diversity, providing tailored support to help all learners succeed regardless of their background. By equipping youths with marketable skills and connecting them to decent work, we are helping to level the playing field and create more equitable opportunities for social and economic mobility. SUWK's impact is particularly significant for young women, who often face additional challenges in accessing vocational training and entering male-dominated industries. By empowering women with skills and confidence, we are promoting gender equality and driving progress towards a more just and inclusive society.

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

Not directly applicable to my startup for now

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Not directly applicable to my startup for now

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Not directly applicable to my startup for now

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

2

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Partnerships are at the core of SUWK's model and impact. We actively collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to advance our mission and drive progress towards the SDGs. Our key partnerships include: - Industry partners: We work closely with employers across various sectors to co-design curricula, provide internships and apprenticeships, and facilitate job placements for our graduates. These partnerships ensure the market relevance of our programs and create pathways to decent work. - Government agencies: We engage with education and youth development authorities to align our programs with national priorities, inform policy discussions, and scale our impact through public-private partnerships. - Community organizations: We collaborate with local NGOs and community groups to reach underserved youths. - International organizations: We partner with global entities like the UN and Mastercard Foundation to share knowledge.

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.

5

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

6

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.

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

SUWK's hybrid vocational education model, combining online learning, hands-on workshops, and job placement support, represents a significant innovation in the Nigerian context. Our AI-powered platform is a new technology that personalizes the learning experience, tracks progress, and matches graduates with job opportunities in a way that has not been done before. While there are existing vocational training programs, SUWK's comprehensive, market-driven approach is a major improvement that responds to the unmet needs of underserved youths for relevant skills and employment support. Our focus on inclusion, flexibility, and technology-enabled learning also sets us apart. Although we build on proven pedagogical principles, SUWK is not merely an extension or new version of old models, but a groundbreaking solution that has the potential to transform vocational education and youth empowerment in Nigeria and beyond.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

SUWK's main potential competitors include government-run vocational schools, private training institutes, and online learning platforms. However, we differentiate ourselves through: - Hybrid model: Combining online courses, practical workshops, and apprenticeships for a comprehensive learning experience. - Industry/Market-aligned curriculum: Co-designed with industry to meet current and future workforce needs. - AI-powered platform: Enabling personalized learning, progress tracking, and job matching. - Holistic support: Providing mentorship, soft skills, and job placement assistance beyond technical training. - Inclusion and accessibility: Actively removing barriers to participation for the underserved youths. SUWK’s strategy of leveraging technology, partnerships, and a learner-centric approach, we are building a new paradigm for vocational education that is both effective and scalable, setting us apart in terms of impact and sustainability.

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

Yes, at SUWK, we are deeply committed to promoting gender equality and empowering female entrepreneurs. Some examples of our actions include: - Launching the SUWK Girl Empowerment Initiative, a mentorship program that pairs successful women/lady professionals with girls from low-income communities to provide guidance on personal development, career exploration, and leadership skills. - Hosting regular Women in Tech workshops to inspire and support women interested in pursuing careers in technology and entrepreneurship. - Partnering with local women's organizations and schools to deliver tailored training programs and scholarships for aspiring female entrepreneurs. - Ensuring gender balance in our own team and leadership, with women making up 50% of our staff and holding key roles such as Operations Officer and Financial Officer.