Esoma Solutions: Revolutionizing Online Learning in East Africa
Esoma Solutions, a Kenyan Ed-tech startup, offers online learning solutions for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Its flagship product, Esoma Kids, is a digital learning tool for basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Founded in 2018 by Julius Irungu, Kelvin Kung'u, and Esborn Waithuki, Esoma Solutions initially launched Esoma-KE, an exam preparation platform targeting children aged 4-10. However, the startup has since evolved its offering to include Esoma Kids, a flexible subscription-based learning platform that utilizes gamification to make basic literacy and numeracy skills appealing to children.
The principle behind Esoma Kids is that through interactive games and challenges, children remain motivated and eager to learn, making learning fun and improving retention and comprehension of key concepts.
The project was driven by the alarming fact that in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 9 out of 10 children cannot read or comprehend by the age of 10. This social gap necessitated the search for alternative and complementary ways to provide formal education.
The startup has secured various types of funding, including grants, with a recent contribution from the Mastercard Foundation. Irungu, one of the co-founders, stated, "To date, Esoma Solutions has raised $112,555 in investments without equity, in addition to revenue generated and founder investments."
Currently operating in Kenya, the startup has ambitious plans to expand into adjacent markets in the region through strategic collaborations and partnerships.
