The landscape of education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is undergoing a digital revolution, largely driven by the EdTech sector. This sector, although nascent, has been steadily growing, with a substantial boost in recent years due to the rapid digital transformation accelerated by the pandemic.
Qureos:
Founded in August 2021 by Alexander Epure, Mehrad Yaghmai, and Usama Nini, Qureos started as a passion project with a mission to make mentorship more accessible. Recognizing the skill gap in the transition from campus to the workplace and between jobs, Qureos was selected by the Dubai Future Accelerators program to address this challenge. Qureos is creating an experiential learning community that connects people from over 127 countries to learn in-demand skills through cohort-based learning paths led by industry experts.
Qureos empowers growing businesses to tap into an on-demand workforce of talent who have been mentored to deliver high-quality work. This innovative approach can reduce cost-to-hire by up to 79% and time-to-hire by 36%, thanks to a proprietary performance-based hiring framework.
Englease:
Founded in 2019 by Omar Chihane, Englease offers round-the-clock live English classes led by bilingual tutors who follow a UK-accredited curriculum. Students take a proficiency assessment test and gain unlimited access to live group classes or opt for 1-on-1 tutoring for up to a full year, making English education more affordable and accessible. Englease\’s annual price competes favorably with the monthly fees of traditional ESL schools.
The company attributes its early success to the quality and stickiness of its product, which has helped it establish partnerships with universities and corporations. Englease is on a mission to help one million people become proficient in English through seamless technology and affordability.
Geek Express:
Founded in 2017 by Manal Hakim and Rayan Najdi, Geek Express empowers youth in the MENA region with the vital STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) skills needed in today’s world. Their STEAM-based learning experiences range from DIY boxes paired with self-paced video lessons to comprehensive hybrid tech journeys, including camps and live online courses. These services are accessible through a gamified app that allows students to engage, book, compete, and educate themselves at their own pace.
Geek Express has successfully democratized technology, ensuring that youths of all ages and backgrounds can access courses in coding, design, and hands-on projects. This approach enhances students’ cognitive skills, nurturing their ability to turn concepts into reality. Geek Express serves K-12 learners from across the MENA region.
SchoolVoice:
Founded in 2016 by Ali Bin Yahia, SchoolVoice offers an interactive platform designed to simplify communication between schools and parents. The traditional process of signing school forms and reading academic announcements can be cumbersome and inefficient. SchoolVoice aims to eliminate paperwork and enable parents to make more informed decisions regarding their child\’s education.
The platform features responsive designs, agile technologies, and an easy-to-use mobile interface that ensures a seamless user experience. By streamlining communication, SchoolVoice not only benefits parents but also increases school enrollment. The company aspires to become the go-to platform for bridging the gap between schools and parents within the education sector.
Key2Enable:
In the UAE, efforts to create equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities led to a significant change in their designation to ‘People of Determination.’ Key2Enable, originally founded in Brazil and now based in Abu Dhabi Global Market, is playing a pivotal role in this mission. The company is developing innovative technology solutions to assist Children of Determination in their learning journeys.
Key2Enable\’s primary product is the Key-X keyboard, a smart keyboard designed with the input of individuals with cerebral palsy. This keyboard helps people with this condition communicate, learn, and develop their knowledge and capabilities. The company has also developed accompanying software to enhance the device\’s functionality.
The Key-X Keyboard is compatible with any computer, tablet, or smartphone and connects via a plug-and-play USB interface, requiring no specific software installation. Its eleven touch-sensitive keys can even be triggered with a simple blink of an eye, making it an invaluable tool for individuals with disabilities.
These five innovative EdTech companies in the UAE and MENA region are revolutionizing education and addressing the evolving needs of students, businesses, and parents. As the EdTech sector continues to grow, these companies are at the forefront of the transformation, shaping the future of education in the digital age. Keep a close eye on these pioneers as they continue to make a positive impact on the education landscape in the region.
