Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Launches Third Cohort Applications During Demo Day

iHUB, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has officially opened applications for the third cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Kenya. This announcement follows the successful conclusion of the second cohort’s entrepreneurship acceleration program, celebrated with an interactive Demo Day showcasing impactful innovations.

The 2024 EdTech Fellowship cohort achieved remarkable outcomes, collectively reaching 63,571 new learners, 91% of whom were young learners. This aligns with the Fellowship’s mission of expanding access to quality education through technology-driven solutions. Since its inception in 2020, the Fellowship has supported over 140 EdTech companies, driving meaningful transformations in Kenya’s education sector.

Celebrating Innovation and Impact
The Demo Day brought together founding entrepreneurs, investors, and key stakeholders to highlight innovative solutions and foster connections. Nissi Madu, Managing Partner at Co-creation HUB/iHUB, praised the entrepreneurs’ efforts:

“These start-ups have built solutions focused on enhancing learning experiences and improving outcomes. Their engagement with stakeholders has fine-tuned their offerings, and we are excited to see these innovations scale to reach millions of learners across Kenya.”

Julius Njuguna Irungu, Co-founder and CEO of Esoma Solutions, reflected on the program’s transformative impact:

“The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship catalyzed our journey. It has supercharged our product development, accelerated business growth, and opened doors to unimaginable possibilities for foundational learning in Kenya.”

Supporting Inclusive Education
The Fellowship equips growth-stage EdTech startups with business development resources, financial support, and insights into the science of learning. The program fosters accessible education by leveraging technology to address gaps in quality and access, particularly for underserved communities.

Rodwell Mangisi, Acting Director of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, emphasized the Fellowship’s commitment:

“The testimonies by Fellows reaffirm our dedication to supporting demand-driven EdTech innovations that close gaps in education access and quality. Technology opens pathways for those without access, enabling them to learn and prosper.”

Applications for Cohort 3 Open
Entrepreneurs eager to innovate and transform Kenya’s education landscape are encouraged to apply for the third cohort of the Fellowship. This initiative continues to shape the future of learning, driving scalable, sustainable solutions that empower communities and foster inclusive education for all.