Calling All EdTech Innovators

UPDATE – December 3, 2019: Due to the a larger than anticipated level of interest, in order to ensure that each proposal is given due consideration, the timelines have been adjusted.

Does your educational technology (EdTech) product have the potential to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Africa and ensure young people have the skills they need to succeed? The Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT (the Centre) is seeking innovative growth-stage businesses to submit their solutions through our Request for Proposals (RFP) for an opportunity to scale their ventures and improve access to quality education.

Specifically, we are looking for solutions that:   

• Enhance and increase accessibility and affordability of professional development for in-service school teachers, which also minimise their out-of-classroom time.
• Create and deliver enriched learning content that improves quality, relevance and accessibility to both in-school and out-of-school secondary school learners.

We’ve launched the Centre so we can work closely with EdTech entrepreneurs, African governments, and other stakeholders across the continent to support innovative solutions to improve the quality, accessibility and relevance of education in Africa.

We want to hear from you if your growth-stage EdTech company meets the following criteria:

• You lead a registered company that is now post-product with the potential to scale (typically in operations for two years or longer);
• Your company is majority African-led and/or owned;
• A for-profit or non-for-profit operating model is in place;
• The company is already operating in, or interested in moving into, the education market in Africa;
• The company’s product specifically addresses (A) the professional development of teachers and/or (B) the need for enriched and accessible learning content for learners

If your company is eligible to apply, it’s time to act. Make sure you’re familiar with the below cut-off dates and don’t miss your opportunity to tell us about your innovation.

The Centre’s Support Package:

The Mastercard Foundation has designed a support package that will enable selected businesses to increase their reach, sustainability and impact. The Centre will partner with selected EdTech companies for a 12-month journey of support.

Selected EdTech companies can expect to receive support in the following areas:

• Building relationships and increasing collaboration with the public sector (e.g. Ministries of Education across Africa) – thereby increasing the likelihood of the solutions’ sustainability and scale in Africa
• Validating your solution with the potential to pilot in school networks throughout our anchor countries – Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana
• Business growth and development support through coaching, access to workshops and seminars, and collaboration on business plans
• Customized mentorship by experts in the areas identified as most pressing within the selected companies (e.g. technology, strategy, professional and personal development, and more)
• Financial support to assist with the operational costs associated with each solution’s scaling and expansion – the main objectives of the Centre

 We’re counting on you – the entrepreneurs who have been on-the-ground and understand the most serious challenges better than most – to change the trajectory of education in Africa. With the support of the Centre and our network of public and private stakeholders, we hope to help you scale your solution and get it in the hands of the learners and teachers who need it most.

More questions? Refer to our FAQ article, which will be updated regularly throughout the application process.