Pearson looking to fund, incubate Africa’s top edtech startups

Pearson, in collaboration with US accelerator Village Capital, has announced its Edupreneurs programme which seeks to support entrepreneurs across Africa trying to solve pressing education issues. The programme will host 15 chosen edtech startups in South Africa after which two winners will be given up to US$75 000 in seed funding.

Although the programme will be operating in South Africa, applications are open to all entrepreneurs across the continent who want to make a positive impact on the future of learning. Startups will complete tailored modules in business and education topics, and receive mentoring advice from other entrepreneurs, investors and professionals.

The programme is part of Pearson’s open innovation strategy which supports startups across the globe in their efforts to solve some of the world’s greatest problems in education.

“Nurturing South Africa’s emerging entrepreneurs is key for Pearson, as it enables us to develop the small business sector and grow the education ecosystem that we operate in”, says Riaan Jonck, CEO of Pearson South Africa. “Enterprise Development is a key component of our transformation strategy, and we are looking forward to seeing innovative Edupreneurs emerge from this programme.”

The 2014 applications are open and will close at the end of August. Selected entrepreneurs will be announced by the end of September while the workshops will begin in October and run through early January.

Village Capital helps build investment-ready companies and has operated in 27 programmes globally serving more than 400 entrepreneurs. Executive director of Village Capital Ross Baird says, “We’re looking to build great companies that improve the quality of education for millions of low-income children across the world, and believe that entrepreneurs can see opportunities that larger players have overlooked.”

Image: Hash Milhan via Flickr