Twelve innovative South African startups have been chosen for the third edition of the Injini Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, a program designed to provide these companies with essential funding and various forms of support to enhance their educational initiatives.
Injini, founded in 2017 and a member of the UVU Africa Group, is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes across Sub-Saharan Africa. As the only ed-tech specialized accelerator on the continent, Injini’s programs and research, conducted through the Injini Think Tank, aim to enhance the quality, accessibility, and relevance of education in the region.
In 2023, Innovation Village reported that Injini partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to launch the EdTech Fellowship specifically for startups based in South Africa. This initiative empowers eligible startups by providing them with direct grant funding, comprehensive product quality evaluations, intensive skill development, coaching, mentorship, tailored market research, and access to markets.
Following a thorough selection process, Injini has announced its third cohort of fellows, which includes a diverse range of startups such as EduFeArn, Edulution Learning, Edutech Institute, and Huddle Education. Other selected startups include Keller Education, Limu, OLICO Maths Education, OURS, and SchoolAdvisor. The cohort is rounded out by Thuma Mina Teaching, TechWays, and Thooto.
Similar to previous alumni cohorts, the new fellows will receive customized support aimed at expanding their market access to reach learners at the bottom of the education pyramid. The program will also focus on effectively measuring impact to demonstrate the value and scalability of their solutions, as well as strengthening business sustainability, including preparation for potential investment opportunities.
Krista Davidson, Executive Director of Injini, emphasized the transformative potential of ed-tech, stating, “We believe that ed-tech, when used in impactful ways, can democratize education, enabling learners to access meaningful and relevant learning opportunities.” She further noted that when selecting this cohort, Injini prioritized addressing the most pressing needs of South Africa’s education system, including teacher training, infrastructure deficits, and access to relevant and quality education.
