--- title: "Startups are Bringing Digital Education to Emerging Markets" url: https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/startups-are-bringing-digital-education-emerging-markets/ --- 1. [HOME](/) 2. [RESOURCES](/content-hub/) 3. [SEEDSTARS LIFE](/content-hub/life/) 4. STARTUPS ARE BRINGING DIGITAL EDUCATION TO EMERGING MARKETS ![Startups are Bringing Digital Education to Emerging Markets](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/edtech.max-1500x500.png) GLOBAL • EDUCATION ## Startups are Bringing Digital Education to Emerging Markets Seedstars Global JUNE 4, 2021 Critiques on the traditional education system have been going around for some time now: from the same learning systems based on standardization and memorization, to ignoring the needs of the labour market and inaccessibility of education. The current education model was [set up after the Industrial Revolution](http://hackeducation.com/2015/04/25/factory-model) and taking into consideration how different society and technology are now in comparison to how they were over 200 years ago, the situation is somewhat mind boggling. Digitalization of the educational system has started after the turn of the Millenium, but like many older systems (think also healthcare or banking for example) it is taking some time to get everyone on board. However, the pandemic gave schools and universities across the world the needed push. According to the World Bank, around [1.6 billion children](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/12/covid19-education-innovation-outcomes/) were out of school due to national lockdowns, the [majority](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/14/world-bank-head-1-billion-kids-may-be-out-of-school-due-to-pandemic.html) of them in developing countries. Human rights organizations fear that many have not returned to school even when it was possible, as the looming economic recession will force children into work to help support their families. ## ## Using the pandemic as an opportunity for a shift in education What the pandemic also showed is the divide between certain economic and social classes as not every child had an equal opportunity to participate in remote learning. Certain infrastructural requirements like access to the Internet are still an issue in emerging countries, but also owning a laptop or a tablet for school isn’t a realistic expectation in countries where families live on a couple of dollars per day. Even in wealthier countries such as [Norway or the Netherlands](https://www.savethechildren.net/news/children-have-lost-more-third-their-school-year-pandemic), not every child had access to home learning. [Governments](https://ec.europa.eu/education/education-in-the-eu/digital-education-action-plan_en) around the world have used the opportunity to bring action plans focused on making education and training fit for the digital age. Access and infrastructure are only part of the problem in shifting into digital education. Another important aspect is the lack of digital skills. Even though younger generations are growing up with technology, old-fashioned education is not preparing them for the labour markets of the future. Vital skills for navigating the digital world such as recognizing disinformation, understanding of deep tech, and data analytics are not being taught even when those are some of the [expected skills needed for work in the future](https://www2.deloitte.com/be/en/pages/public-sector/articles/upskilling-the-workforce-in-european-union-for-the-future-of-work.html). ## ## EdTech is one of the most profitable startup sectors In the world of startups, EdTech solutions have been a hit for a number of years. This sector is [predicted](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/insights/a-look-at-the-edtech-landscape-the-worlds-biggest-opportunity/) to be among the biggest and most profitable digitized sectors. Global venture investments in the industry have been rapidly growing since 2010 and came to [seven billion USD in 2019.](https://www.toptal.com/finance/market-research-analysts/edtech-trends-2020) Recognizing the importance of technology for the future of education, Seedstars has been working with external partners for years on programs supporting EdTech startups and investing in them as well. There are currently six EdTech companies in the Seedstars portfolio and they are working on several impact verticals: access to education, digitisation of education services, and inclusive education. Startups in the portfolio impacted over 740,000 learners and helped over a thousand students get into universities of their choice. With partners such as [TRECC](https://treccprogram.org/) and the [School of Management Fribourg](https://www.heg-fr.ch/en/) we have supported the most promising ventures in the sector and thus provided thousands of children with education opportunities. Startups such as [Asafeer Education Technologies](https://3asafeer.com/login) (Qatar), [Edves](https://edves.net/) (Nigeria), [Schoolap](https://www.schoolap.com/) (the Democratic Republic of the Congo), [Programa Valentina](https://programavalentina.com/) (Guatemala) have won The Transforming Education Prize in the last couple of years. This year’s winner of The Education Prize was [Orcas](https://www.orcas.io/), who are looking to create the largest tutoring marketplace in the MENA region where they connect students with early-career professionals and teachers. You can listen to our podcast with their CEO Hossam Taher [here](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-learning-every-single-person-you-meet-can-change-your-life/). Digital Education was a big part of this year’s Seedstars World Competition 2020/21 Grand Finale, not only because of the Education Prize awarded in partnership with [HEG Fribourg](https://www.heg-fr.ch/en/), but a significant part of the Finale was the discussion on 21st Century Education for 21st Century Skills and the Mag on EdTech. Both can be rewatched [here](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/grand-finale-seedstars-world-competition-202021-here/). ARTICLE SEEDSTARS WORLD 2020/21 GLOBAL EDUCATION & CONSULTING EDTECH ## More like this [ ![How Learning From Every Single Person You Meet Can Change Your Life](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/orcas-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • EDUCATION & CONSULTING How Learning From Every Single Person You Meet Can Change Your Life We spoke with Hossam Taher, CEO of Orcas, an app that helps learners in K-12 discover the best tutors in their area. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-learning-every-single-person-you-meet-can-change-your-life/) [ ![The best startups in Asia are ready to compete in the Regional Final!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/1006954_Websitebanners2ASIA_033121.max-320x550.jpg) ASIA • FINANCIAL SERVICES The best startups in Asia are ready to compete in the Regional Final! The entrepreneurs from Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Pakistan are competing for an investment of up to $500k. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/the-best-startups-in-asia-are-ready-to-compete-in-the-regional-final/) [ ![The best startups from Mauritius, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Gambia, Cameroon, and Cabo Verde are here](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/africa-5-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • CONSUMER SERVICES The best startups from Mauritius, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Gambia, Cameroon, and Cabo Verde are here MARCH 5, 2021 __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/best-startups-mauritius-ivory-coast-kenya-gambia-cameroon-and-cabo-verde-are-here/) [ ![startups from Mali, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/961241_SSWWebsitebanners2Africa2_020121.max-320x550.jpg) AFRICA • HEALTHCARE Get ready to watch the startups from Mali, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria MARCH 2,2021 __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/get-ready-watch-startups-mali-malawi-sierra-leone-zimbabwe-and-nigeria/) [ ![TOP startups from Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Latvia, Uzbekistan, and Serbia are here!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/961241_SSWWebsitebanners2CEE4_020121.max-320x550.jpg) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • HR Startups from Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Latvia, Uzbekistan, and Serbia FEBRUARY 25, 2021 __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/top-startups-kazakhstan-bulgaria-latvia-uzbekistan-and-serbia-are-here/) [ ![Startups from Mongolia, Poland, Moldova, and Georgia have just virtually arrived!](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/961241_SSWWebsitebanners2CEE1_020121.max-320x550.jpg) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • OTHER The most promising startups from Mongolia, Poland, Moldova, and Georgia have just virtually arrived! FEBRUARY 22, 2021 __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/most-promising-startups-mongolia-poland-moldova-and-georgia-have-just-virtually-arrived/) [ ![Startups from Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/961241_SSWWebsitebanners2Asia2_020121.max-320x550.jpg) ASIA • HEALTHCARE Check out the most relevant startups from Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh! FEBRUARY 16, 2021 __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/check-out-most-relevant-startups-nepal-pakistan-sri-lanka-india-bhutan-and-bangladesh/) [ ![Startups from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/961241_SSWWebsitebanners2LATAM3_020121.max-320x550.jpg) LATIN AMERICA • ENTERPRISE Get ready to watch stunning startups from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico FEBRUARY 10, 2021 __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/get-ready-watch-stunning-startups-argentina-brazil-ecuador-guatemala-and-mexico/) [ ![mena.startups-2021](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/96124_SSWWebsitebanners2Mena3_0129211.max-320x550.jpg) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • EDUCATION & CONSULTING Startups from Turkey, Kuwait, Morocco, Bahrain, and Qatar FEBRUARY 3, 2021 __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/best-startups-turkey-kuwait-morocco-bahrain-and-qatar-are-here/) [ ![mena-startups-2021](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/menathumbnail.max-320x550.png) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • CONSUMER SERVICES Check out these MENA startups disrupting different industries in the region FEBRUARY 1, 2021 __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/check-out-these-mena-startups-disrupting-different-industries-region/) --- ## Sitemap - [Sitemap](https://www.seedstars.com/sitemap.md): every public page on this site - [llms.txt](https://www.seedstars.com/llms.txt): what Seedstars does and where to start