Early-stage startups competition Seedstars World and non-profit initiative TRECC have partnered to uncover e-learning products and services than can have an effect in rural areas, with winners set to walk away with US$1,000.
The annual Seedstars World competition in Switzerland gives startups the chance to compete for up to US$1 million in funding, and has already chosen winners in Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Botswana and Rwanda.
This year, Seedstars World has partnered TRECC, an initiative of the Jacobs Foundation focused on improving the quality of education in Ivory Coast. TRECC is the sponsor of the US$50,000 Transforming Education Prize at the 2017 Seedstars World competition.
That partnership has now expanded to include an African e-learning challenge, for which applications are open until January 31. Entrepreneurs stand the chance to win a cash prize of US$1,000.
“Rural distribution challenges often limit access to quality education for the communities that need it most, further exacerbating social inequalities,” TRECC country director Sabina Vigani said.
“We want to better understand how education systems – as well as education entrepreneurs – can leverage existing distribution networks or create socially responsible distribution networks to ensure these communities have access to not only quality education, but other goods and service that can improve the quality of life.”
The challenge is looking specifically for ideas that can help established education companies and entrepreneurs expand to rural markets, improve education delivery systems and access to learning through technology or new distribution models, and spark demand for quality education and education-focused goods and services in rural communities.
