NAIROBI, Kenya- The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with iHub, is calling for applications for the third cohort of the EdTech Fellowship, a transformative program fueling innovation in the education sector.
The Fellowship, designed to equip tech startups with tools to enhance learning outcomes, has already made waves across the country.
With 20 startups in its first two cohorts and 140 EdTech companies accelerated since its inception in 2020, this program is proving to be a game-changer for educational access and quality in underserved communities.
EdTech isn’t just about fancy apps and cool gadgets—it’s about making education accessible, engaging, and effective for everyone.
The 2024 cohort of the EdTech Fellowship alone reached 63,571 new learners, 91pc of whom were young students. This aligns perfectly with the Fellowship’s mission to provide meaningful access to learning tools that close educational gaps.
Over the past six months, participating startups have worked closely with educators, government officials, parents, and learners to refine their solutions.
According to Nissi Madu, Managing Partner at Co-creation Hub/iHub, these startups are delivering innovations that could reshape Kenya’s education landscape.
“Through active engagement, they’ve fine-tuned their offerings, and today’s Demo Day marks a step closer to scaling these solutions to impact millions of learners,” said Madu.
Demo Day wasn’t just a showcase; it was a hub for collaboration. Founders unveiled their cutting-edge solutions while connecting with potential investors and partners. These interactions are crucial in scaling their reach and fostering impactful collaborations.
For startups like Esoma Solutions, the Fellowship has been a launchpad for growth. “This program supercharged our product development and business growth, opening doors to possibilities we hadn’t imagined,” said Julius Njuguna Irungu, Esoma’s CEO.
It’s a sentiment echoed by many, as the Fellowship doesn’t just provide funding—it offers mentorship, insights into the science of learning, and business development support to help these companies scale sustainably.
The EdTech Fellowship isn’t slowing down. Rodwell Mangisi, Acting Director of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, highlighted the program’s intentional focus on demand-driven solutions.
“Our goal is to close gaps in access and quality, prioritizing relevance and sustainability for lasting impact,” he noted.
As Kenya’s education sector continues to evolve, initiatives like this are paving the way for inclusive, tech-driven learning experiences.
With its eyes set on the next generation of EdTech innovations, the Fellowship is positioned to be a catalyst for transforming not just classrooms but entire communities.
