E Squared Investments recently announced its investment in Zaio Technologies, an EdTech platform with the potential to transform learning in the digital era.
Zaio Technologies, founded by a dynamic group of young entrepreneurs, provides comprehensive job-focused coding training through full-stack, specialized front-end and back-end courses via their online Learning Management System. Serving both businesses and individual consumers, Zaio delivers customized learning programs to help companies upscale their employees and guide them in initiatives focused on skills development.
In South Africa, acquiring digital education is a considerable challenge for many due to the prohibitive costs of IT degrees and the need for additional educational resources. Alongside financial barriers, many students face limited access to devices and constraints due to life commitments, further hampering the accessibility of digital education. This inhibits the creation of a pool of technically proficient talent among South African youths, restricting their potential to succeed in a digital world.
Zaio addresses these systemic obstacles by offering online, self-paced or bootcamp courses designed to provide students with certified IT skills within at least six months and assist them with job placements upon course completion.
The founding team comprises CEO Mvelo Hlophe, CMO Harjot Singh, Head of Product Asif Hassam, and COO Akhil Boddu. Their collective expertise and innovative drive, supported by a team of nine additional employees, are key ingredients in their quest to revolutionize digital education.
At Zaio, we are acutely aware that education plays a pivotal role in shaping futures and bridging gaps. Our commitment to delivering impactful education and training specifically tailored to the needs of a digitally driven world is more than a business mission—it is a social imperative. By equipping African youth with essential skills for the 4th Industrial Revolution, we are contributing to closing the unemployment gap while also ensuring that our continent is an active participant in the burgeoning global EdTech market, which, according to Holon IQ, is projected to grow to $404 billion by 2025. Zaio is proud to be at the heart of this growth, fostering a skilled workforce ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Mvelo Hlophe, CEO, Zaio
Zaio employs a blended learning approach which incorporates traditional teaching methods alongside interactive coding exercises and real-world projects. This method, delivered through Zaio’s mobile app, AI Tutor, and video-based content, provides a personalized learning experience for students.
The investment made by E Squared Investments is further bolstered by a grant from the Injini EdTech Accelerator. This illustrates the potential of strategic alliances and collaborations in enhancing the beneficial effects of investments.
Investing in Zaio was driven by our confidence in the passionate and highly capable founding team that is poised to revolutionise education through technology. Zaio empowers learners by providing them with valuable skills, which will ultimately contribute towards lowering the unemployment rate. The co-investment with Injini also means that we can capitalise on shared resources and collective expertise to foster transformative change and enable long-term success.
Brian Masondo, Investment Manager, E Squared Investments
E Squared Investments’ CEO, Gladwyn Leeuw, highlighted the significance of the investment in Zaio in pushing forward the company’s mission. He stressed that their goal is to empower responsible entrepreneurs as drivers for economic advancement, transformation, and social improvement.
E Squared Investments is proud to be part of transforming education technology in Africa through our strategic investment in Zaio. This investment is not just in a company, but in the future of Africa’s demographic dividend. By supporting Zaio, we are addressing digital education’s accessibility and affordability challenges, empowering African youth, and preparing them for the 4th Industrial Revolution. Zaio’s mission to bridge the digital skills gap is a catalyst for economic development, nurturing the architects of Africa’s future. This strategic move is about unlocking Africa’s potential and ensuring it becomes a leading player in the global tech landscape.
This strategic funding marks the next phase of our commitment to Zaio’s mission, following our initial pre-seed investment, mentorship, and business support through E Squared’s Pathways programme for Allan Gray Fellows. The additional investment will propel Zaio’s innovative approach to digital skill empowerment for African youth, building on the foundation laid during our earlier support
Gladwyn Leeuw, E Squared Investments, CEO
Having received accreditation from MICT SETA, Zaio is capable of providing students with NQF level 5 accredited certificates. Since 2021, Zaio has trained over 300 learners through their accredited course.
In response to our research and data analysis, we noticed that many students who come to our platform with an interest in exploring careers in technology do not have access to a laptop. In order to cater to them, we developed a new style of learning through our mobile app (BETA) that is accessible from a phone and designed to help students determine if coding is something they would enjoy before committing to purchasing a laptop. The learning courses on this app are short and informative, provide a quick and easy introduction to the basics of coding, and help learners decide whether or not to further pursue a career in coding.
By doing this, we are removing the barriers to entry and helping students make informed decisions about their future. Whether or not students decide to pursue a career in technology, these courses provide a valuable and engaging learning experience that helps them discover their passions and reach their goals. It is also a demonstration of Zaio’s ability and responsiveness to creating seamless, user-friendly learning experience and cater to the evolving market needs.
Students who complete our course earn credits that demonstrate their proficiency in building applications for business purposes. This recognition validates the skills they have acquired and makes them more competitive in the job market. Additionally, with the goal of providing even more value to students, we are exploring ways to increase the number of credits awarded without compromising the length of the course. This demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and a dedication to providing students with the most comprehensive and relevant education possible.
Mvelo Hlophe, CEO, Zaio
