The MasterCard Foundation is an independent non-profit organization headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Established in 2006 by MasterCard Worldwide, it operates as a distinct entity with its own policies and management. With over $7 billion in assets, the foundation collaborates with partner organizations across 46 countries to create opportunities for individuals to learn and prosper. Its mission focuses on fostering inclusive economic growth and enhancing access to education and financial services, aiming to empower people and communities around the globe.
Topset is a fast growing edtech company making quality education accessible to all. Through an online tutoring platform and machine learning-driven learning app, Topset provides affordable, personalized solutions to supplement children’s schooling and for African language learning.
Yarp foods
Seed Round in 2024
YARP Foods is an agri processing startup that specializes in producing cost-effective all-purpose cassava flour for the flour user industries.
54 Collective
Venture Round in 2023
54 Collective is a venture capital firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded in 2018. The company focuses on building and scaling African tech startups by providing catalytic capital and tailored support to entrepreneurs. It invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, health tech, agritech, logistics, and e-commerce. By integrating impact into its investment strategy, 54 Collective aims to deliver financial returns to investors while facilitating the growth of innovative businesses. The firm leverages its extensive global network to offer additional resources and support, helping founders navigate challenges and scale their ventures effectively.
UKC
Pre Seed Round in 2022
The Government of Rwanda through the District and Sector gave my family a household cow. My dad was asked to establish a kraal and feeding garden to cultivate pasture. He did it. The Fresian cow given for free, gave us milk and dung, making us get milk for home use and surplus for sale. However, we were hit by the summertime and the pasture was depleted due to small plot cultivation we struggled to produce food crops and cow fodder. Our lovely cow started starving, prompting us to rise as early as 4 am and fetch thinny dry shrubs and grass along roadsides and river banks. Our milk production fell from 12 liters a day to 3 liters. The family got stressed with the unstoppable cow mows, rendering the neighborhood complaints about our darling cow noise nuisance due to undernutrition. “Daddy, I will find a way, I am in a country of solutions, not setbacks and regrets. Internet surfing led me to a new technology called Hydroponics Fodder”. Liaising with the external expert made the technology knock at our door, in Rwanda". The UKC member and vision bearer said.
Kytabu
Grant in 2020
Kytabu is a textbook subscription application that allows students to rent preinstalled textbooks on a low cost android tablet or desktop application on a dongle. They can rent content as pages, chapters or books on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly time frame and pay with mobile money. Kytabu allows students to access any textbook in the country's entire education curriculum library, rent the size of content they need, for the amount of time they need it while still fitting the amount of money they have. This is all made possinle by a microSD that holds the 8GB of pre-installed textbook content, an a GSM, data enable SIM card with mobile payment support that comes with it to access updates or additional content through an online data connection payed for by publishers. This translates to affordable content that is always upto date, always accessible and easy to purchase.
Zeraki
Grant in 2020
Zeraki is an educational technology company focused on improving access to quality education and facilitating smoother transitions between educational levels and into employment. The company operates a platform designed to enhance instructional quality while streamlining administrative tasks for educators. By providing valuable insights, Zeraki empowers educational stakeholders to make informed decisions, ultimately aiming to elevate the overall educational experience for students.
Eneza Education
Grant in 2020
Eneza Education, a.k.a. MPrep, was founded in 2011 by Kenyan teachers and educators serious about making technology useful for their students. From the rural areas of Nyanza to Wajir Town and the Mombasa Coast, Kenyan teachers united to create the content of our initial Class 7 and Class 8 study tool. We wanted a tool that combined the best of great teaching practices: scaffolded assessments, direct feedback, and high engagement. And we wanted to make sure ALL kids had access to our system. What better way to start than with a simple SMS-based system?
Zibuza
Grant in 2020
Zibuza is an online professional learning community (PLC) that aims to improve the quality of teaching in South Africa by means of discussions, collaborations and access to resources. Zibuza is personalised to meet the individual and collective needs of a teacher based on location, grade, subjects and interests. We save teachers valuable time.
Siyavula Education
Grant in 2020
Siyavula Education is an education technology company focused on enhancing high school students' performance in mathematics and science through personalized, technology-driven learning solutions. The company has developed innovative software that allows learners to practice subjects such as Maths, Physics, and Chemistry in an adaptive manner, catering to individual needs and providing targeted feedback to help students master essential concepts and skills. Additionally, Siyavula offers openly licensed, curriculum-aligned textbooks that facilitate online learning, making quality education more accessible to learners and teachers across South Africa.
O’Genius Priority
Grant in 2020
O’Genius Priority is Empowering Genuine Welfare. IT solutions, Web and Mobile development.
Chalkboard Education
Grant in 2020
Make your training materials accessible remotely, from any device, without the Internet. Train and poll beneficiaries around the World and track your impact seamlessly.
M-Shule
Grant in 2020
M-Shule Ltd. is a mobile learning management platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2016. It specializes in providing tailored educational content primarily in Maths and English through an adaptive learning engine that matches students with lessons suited to their individual needs. By utilizing SMS technology, M-Shule delivers personalized lessons directly to students and parents, allowing for continuous learning outside of traditional classroom settings. The platform not only tracks and analyzes student progress but also shares insights and reports with schools and educators, fostering collaboration among parents, teachers, and institutions. M-Shule aims to enhance educational access for offline and low-income communities in East Africa, enabling millions to benefit from self-paced, interactive learning resources.
AkooBooks Audio
Grant in 2020
AkooBooks Audio is a platform and experience provider focused on transforming mobile phones and devices into 'accessible libraries' of Black/African audiobooks in English and African languages, that reach new audiences.
Hitch Tech
Grant in 2020
Hitch Tech is a platform designed for African schools that enhances educational access by curating high-quality educational videos tailored to local curricula and textbooks. It utilizes battery-powered video hotspots to store content, allowing students and teachers to access these resources offline through WiFi or local networks. By addressing the challenges of traditional education resources and technology accessibility, Hitch Tech aims to empower underserved communities in emerging markets. The platform facilitates unrestricted access to impactful videos, enabling users to overcome literacy barriers and fostering connections within communities. This innovative approach supports the growth of education and knowledge sharing in Africa.
Instill Education
Grant in 2020
Instill Education is a a start-up education organisation with a vision to transform teaching and school leadership across the Africa. Through a practically immersive graduate learning programme, It will meet the pressing and growing need for high quality teaching capacity in Africa.
Schoolinka
Seed Round in 2019
Schoolinka is an Edtech company solving the problem of poor teaching quality by powering the continuous professional development and job placements of K-12 teachers in Africa. Using AI and ML, Schoolinka matches teachers with professional development resources tailored to their specific skill gaps and also places these teachers in school and tutoring jobs that fit their skill levels. The Schoolinka platform serves as a connecting port for teachers, schools, parents, and professional development resources. Our platform features a robust LMS that hosts our online courses, training materials, and resources. Teachers can access these resources at their convenience, enabling them to enhance their skills and knowledge. We also have a job board where schools can post vacancies and teachers can apply for positions. The job board is integrated with our LMS, allowing schools to identify candidates with specific skills and qualifications.
Flex Finance
Pre Seed Round in 2019
Flex Finance is a spend management platform tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa, addressing the critical issue of financial mismanagement that leads to high business failure rates. Recognizing that 90% of businesses on the continent may not survive past five years due to inadequate financial oversight, Flex provides tools to streamline expense management. The platform features an intuitive user interface that facilitates budgeting, expense tracking, digital requisitions, and bulk payment transfers. By offering these services through both mobile and web applications, Flex empowers businesses to digitize their financial operations, making them more efficient and better equipped to manage their spending in an increasingly digital environment.
Zlto
Grant in 2018
Zlto is a virtual incentives platform that allows organizations to track and increase positive behavior while generating valuable data on emerging markets.
RecyclePoints
Grant in 2018
RecyclePoints is a waste recycling and social benefit venture focused on encouraging individuals and corporations to recycle by creating value from everyday waste. The company operates an incentive-based scheme that collects recyclable materials from consumers, rewarding them with points for their contributions. These points can be accumulated and redeemed for various household items available through the iRecycle store. By motivating post-consumers to actively participate in recycling efforts, RecyclePoints aims to reduce waste while fostering a sense of community engagement and social responsibility.
Tulaa
Grant in 2018
Tulaa is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2017 that focuses on enhancing the agricultural sector by connecting smallholder farmers with suppliers, financial service providers, and commodity buyers. The company develops a software application that enables farmers to buy and sell agricultural products, facilitating access to affordable financing for inputs and improving market connections. By leveraging mobile technology and last mile agent networks, Tulaa aims to reduce the costs and risks associated with doing business in rural areas. The platform offers farmers essential information on farming supplies, credit options, and tailored advice, ultimately empowering them to improve sales and gain better access to markets.
Jumo
Series A in 2018
Jumo is a fintech company that specializes in providing banking technology aimed at enhancing financial access in emerging markets, particularly in Africa and Asia. The company partners with banks to deliver loans, savings, and various financial services to traditionally underserved customers. By utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, Jumo develops credit scores and financial products tailored to individual needs. Their platform also employs behavioral data from mobile usage to establish financial identities for small and medium enterprises, allowing customers to engage with financial services in a cost-effective and responsible manner. Jumo offers essential reporting, analytics, and insights to its partners, facilitating improved service delivery and financial choices for their clients.
Jumo
Grant in 2017
Jumo is a fintech company that specializes in providing banking technology aimed at enhancing financial access in emerging markets, particularly in Africa and Asia. The company partners with banks to deliver loans, savings, and various financial services to traditionally underserved customers. By utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, Jumo develops credit scores and financial products tailored to individual needs. Their platform also employs behavioral data from mobile usage to establish financial identities for small and medium enterprises, allowing customers to engage with financial services in a cost-effective and responsible manner. Jumo offers essential reporting, analytics, and insights to its partners, facilitating improved service delivery and financial choices for their clients.
Zoona
Venture Round in 2017
Zoona is a mobile technology company focused on providing financial services to underserved communities across Africa. Founded in 2009, it has established a robust distribution network that facilitates money transfers, electronic voucher payments, savings, credit, and bill payments primarily for unbanked customers. With operations in Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, Zoona leverages cutting-edge technology and a network of agents to ensure safe and reliable access to financial services. The company has processed over $2 billion in transactions and has received recognition from organizations such as The Nike Foundation and The Unreasonable Group for its impactful contributions to empowering young entrepreneurs and helping to alleviate poverty, particularly among girls.
Carnegie Mellon University
Grant in 2016
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research institution renowned for its innovative programs in technology and the arts. It offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degrees across diverse disciplines, with a strong emphasis on computer science, information systems, and public policy. The university's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy features highly regarded graduate degree and executive education programs, combining expertise in information systems with public policy management. Additionally, the School of Computer Science is recognized globally as a leading center for research and education in computer science. Through its interdisciplinary approach, Carnegie Mellon University serves various sectors, including education, technology, and the arts, fostering a collaborative environment that prepares students for future challenges.
GiftedMom
Grant in 2015
GiftedMom is the first mobile health platform in Central Africa, which uses low cost technologies to improve the health conditions of pregnant women and new borns in under served and disconnected communities. The GiftedMom project was started by a group of Medical and engineering students, Medical Doctors, health and community workers, with vision to reduce maternal mortality rates (Millennium Development Goal 5) as well as infant Mortality rates (MDG 4) in Cameroon. The project comprises a Web and Mobile platform, SMS Services and Google Fusion Tables, all aimed at divulging important information on the proper management of pregnancy, and a healthy follow up of newborns.
Tespire
Tespire provides inspiration for the future of education by equipping primary and secondary schools with a cloud solution and a hardware box that eases administrative processes in their offices and classrooms. They give parents a single login to manage multiple children.
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