Kenya’s M-shule Makes The Final Of The Next Billion Edtech Prize In Dubai

Kenya’s M-Shule has been selected as one of 30 finalists who will travel to the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai to compete in pitch competition that recognizes leading EdTech startups making an impact on education in low income and emerging economies.

The forum brings together over 1500 delegates from around the world to solve the most pressing issues in global education, culminating in the award of the Next Billion Edtech Prize and the US $1 million Global
Teacher Prize.

While at the forum, the finalists will also have an opportunity to meet the most important players from the spheres of both education and technology – from venture capitalists to education ministers, foundations, academics and some of the world’s best teachers. They will be able to draw on their expertise and support to build products that will work as well in the classroom as they do at a pitch competition.

“Congratulations to M-Shule for making the final 30 start-ups to compete in the Next Billion Prize 2019. Vikas Pota, CEO of Tmrw Digital, which runs the Next Billion Prize said.

“The Next Billion Prize was created to shine a light on those gifted entrepreneurs that are not only ingenious, but also bold and persistent enough to bring forward the revolutionary ideas that are desperately needed to transform education in those parts of the world where there is limited access to high quality teaching.

“Our fervent hope is that the prize inspires this new breed of entrepreneur the world over to come forward with the fresh thinking that is needed to help give every child their birthright; access to a great education.”

M-Shule is the first adaptive mobile learning platform in Africa. The enterprise delivers personalized lessons and revision to thousands of learners in Kenya through SMS that helps them achieve.

The 30 finalists will pitch to an expert panel of judges, made up of venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, educators, and experts in EdTech and learning sciences. They will also pitch to a live audience of GESF delegates made up of leading education figures from public, private and social sectors.

Six of the startups will be selected to return to the main GESF stage for the grand final in front of judges and a live audience. The best three will each be awarded $25,000 and the winner will be awarded the Next Billion Prize trophy.

The Next Billion Prize was named to remind the world of the billion young people – a number growing every day – that are being denied an education that allows them to make the most of their talents.