iSchool, an Egyptian EdTech platform providing STEAM learning courses for children, has raised $160,000 funding from EdVentures, the venture capital arm of Egypt’s Nahdet Misr Publishing Group, the company has announced recently.
The Cairo-based startup said the new funds will be used for developing and improving its platform to widen its services in Egypt, and expand its operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Founded in 2018 by Mohamed Algawish, Mustafa AbdelMon’em, Ebrahim Youssef, and Mohamed Nabil, iSchool offers a parallel Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) educational experience for children aged between 6 to 18 years old. It is the first Egyptian-African EdTech startup to be accredited by a STEM organization, after winning first place at the Bizex Startup Competition and gaining recognition by Egypt’s Ministry of Investment as the most influential startup.
iSchool aims to help students learn and build careers in next-generation technologies such as Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Programming, Graphic Design, and Multimedia through customized and interactive learning program. It delivers a comprehensive learning experience that enriches students’ knowledge in all things STEAM with accredited curriculums, professional instructors, and practical live sessions. The platform’s learning program includes learning objectives, milestones, projects, activities, certificates, and competitions customized to fit the student’s age range.
Mohamed Algawish, Co-founder and Business Development Manager of iSchool, said the latest investment will accelerate its growth to develop and expand its services in more countries in the MENA region.
The startup claims to have trained more than 7,500 students in six countries, helping them to work, do freelance, and even launch their own ventures. According to its website, the startup has over 300 teachers and has completed 30,000+ training hours on its platform.
Highlighting that it is crucial to equip the youth with different skills and knowledge to enable them to become innovators, Dalia Ibrahim, Founder & CEO of EdVentures, said “Such skills are acquired through STEAM education [and] iSchool will help us empower more students by developing their critical thinking skills and setting them up for future success.”
EdVentures supports and invests in startups specializing in education, culture, and innovative learning solutions in seed and pre-Series A rounds focusing on Egypt, Africa, and the Arab World. The corporate venture capital fund was launched in 2017 by Nahdet Misr Publishing House.
