Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

Esoma Kids is an online learning tool delivering foundational literacy and numeracy skills to children aged 6-10 in Sub-Saharan Africa through adaptive and personalized learning paths.

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

Esoma Solutions offers learner-centered learning solutions across K-12. Our flagship product, Esoma Kids, bridges the learning resources accessibility and cost problems by providing teachers and learners with a low-cost, easily accessible, platform with curated digital content and tools to help improve learning outcomes. The platform is built on evidence of teaching and learning science and tailored to improve learning outcomes. We ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all from a tender age, as envisioned in SDG 4.

01.02 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

Limited access to quality education resources in Sub-Saharan Africa contributes to 89% of children failing to meet age-appropriate literacy and numeracy milestones. High costs and poor accessibility exacerbate this issue, hindering children's ability to develop fundamental skills essential for academic success and future opportunities. Without adequate literacy and numeracy proficiency, these children face significant barriers to accessing higher education, securing employment, and ultimately realizing their full potential in various aspects of life.

01.03 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service fourni par votre startup (au moins 3).

1. Personalized learning journeys for our users - the system uses adaptive algorithms that adapt the learning path based on the learner's strengths and weaknesses. 2. Affordability - we have ensured that the platform is affordable by people across all socioeconomic levels, with a monthly subscription fee of KES 300. 3. Integrated use of AI Driven Insights (AIDI) concept - the AIDI concept helps in collection of behavioral and learning data of users, and uses that to build a data silo that the system references to make recommendations to learners, parents and teachers on the best approach to ensure effective learning.

01.04 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adresse le produit/service de votre startup. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

We have two categories of targeted beneficiaries 1. Learners in foundational literacy and numeracy levels (ideally aged 6-10, and in grades 1-4) in Sub-Saharan Africa. 2. Teachers to the category of learners highlighted above In each of the cases above, our end user and the client are different. Parents and institutions are out clients, purchasing out product to serve the said end users

01.05 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

06/03/2024

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Oui

01.07 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires de votre entreprise en plus de vous ?

1

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

0

01.09 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre startup (compétences, expérience, etc.).

1. Julius Njuguna Irungu The team leader bearing the vision for the business, and an accomplished crusader for equitable education. Julius is a graduate of Analytical Chemistry with Management from Kenyatta University, and recently participated in EdTech Hub’s program “EdTech Evidence for Entrepreneurs” from which he emerged top in his cohort, gaining essential knowledge on how to build viable evidence-backed EdTech solutions. Also a YALI Leadership Fellow of Education Changemakers Kelvin Kung’u Munyambu Kelvin is an Information and Communications Technology graduate, the visionary architect behind our web design and development, a creative virtuoso with a remarkable aptitude for full-stack development.

01.10 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

https://esomakids.com/

01.11 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre entreprise ?

Technologies de l'information (services numériques, équipements et logiciels)

02.01.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

The greatest equalizer in life is education, and it should be provided at high quality from the foundational levels. With the work we are doing, we are giving young ones a chance to get quality education which unlocks limitless possibilities for the future, eradicating poverty being part if it.

02.02.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

5

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Indirectly, when people are educated, they become smart enough to engage in projects and lifestyles that reduce hunger possibilities.

02.03.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

3

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.04.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

This is the primary SDG we are serving, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Lifelong learning can only happen when foundational principles of learning (numeracy and literacy) are achieved at the ideal times. As such, our platform is promoting acquisition of these principles using evidence-based learning science practices to ensure learning happens.

02.05.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Our system is inclusive for all, ang gives everyone a chance to feel represented and appreciated. The presentation of out content, voicing, imaging, videos and even names used in content cuts across genders, ensuring there is a feeling of appreciation for all. As a matter of principle, we are crusaders of equality, equity, inclusivity and inclusion.

02.06.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.07.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.08.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

6

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We are working towards a future of dignified and fulfilling work, by preparing a generation of literate people who can effectively express themselves, plan, ad execute such plans. Education is a pivotal part of preparing for decent work and economic growth as it raises productivity and creativity. Further, education stimulates entrepreneurship and technological breakthroughs necessary for economic empowerment of society.

02.09.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovation et Infrastructure'

3

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.10.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

6

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Inequalities have been raised by differences in socioeconomic classes, and one significant area has been level of education. As we increase access to quality education for the people, it improves their chances of living more fulfilling life and closing the gap between the haves and have nots.

02.11.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.12.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.13.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

2

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.14.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.15.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

3

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.16.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

2

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.17.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

4

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

06.01 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

4

06.02 Notre produit/service représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

4

06.03 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

3

06.04 Notre produit/service est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

4

06.05 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

4

06.06 Notre produit/service répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

6

06.07 Notre produit/service est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

3

06.08 Justification

Esoma Kids stands out in the EdTech landscape due to its innovative Competency Attainment Process (CAP). Unlike traditional approaches, Esoma Kids' CAP ensures a thorough understanding of every concept through comprehensive and exhaustive coverage of all possible paths of explanation. What sets Esoma Kids apart is its integration of adaptive and personalized learning paths, facilitated by advanced algorithms. This dynamic approach tailors the learning journey to each student's strengths, weaknesses, pace, and ability, optimizing their potential. By constantly adjusting to individual needs, Esoma Kids provides a truly customized educational experience, fostering deeper comprehension and engagement. This blend of personalized learning and comprehensive competency attainment makes Esoma Kids a pioneering FLN solution in educational technology. We are also working to integrate Generative AI functionalities in the system to further enhance our learners’ experience.

06.09 Analyse compétitive

We view competition from two angles, based on the target market we are seeking to serve, which is children in the FLN levels. Our primary competition are the activities keeping children busy, where we need to draw them from to use our product. Such include animations on TV and web, and games on smartphones. Our other level of competition is other EdTech players in the FLN space, including EIDU, Angaza Elimu, and Nyansapo AI. Our edge over them is the novelty of the algorithms we use for adaptive learning, incorporating a learner's strengths, weaknesses, system usage behavior, and teacher input to create wholesome recommendations for improvement. Our system also offloads a bulk of work from the teacher as auto marking assessments makes sure they have more time to focus on teaching.

11.05 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes entrepreneurs ?

Yes, I participate in capacity building for women entrepreneurs often. Our startup is also deliberate in providing learning opportunities to female employees to attend workshops on entrepreneurship and leadership. As a community leader, I mentor young girls in primary school to prepare them for a future where they can succeed as female entrepreneurs or career women.