Introducing Isaac Oladipupo from Afrilearn
Q: Could you introduce yourself and tell us about Afrilearn?
A: I’m Isaac Oladipupo, the co-founder and CEO of Afrilearn. We are redefining e-learning for primary and secondary school students across Africa. Our platform is a comprehensive and gamified learning hub, offering a full range of educational resources. This includes curriculum-based class notes, video lessons, homework assistance, gamified exam practice, and a personalized learning dashboard. Our aim is to democratize education for young Africans, making learning accessible anytime, anywhere, and on any device. Currently, in a growth phase, Afrilearn has already reached over 2 million youths across Africa, and we’re now expanding beyond Nigeria.
Q: What inspired you to start Afrilearn?
A: My inspiration for Afrilearn is deeply personal and rooted in my own experiences. Growing up in Nigeria in a well-to-do family, I had the privilege of receiving quality education, largely due to my father’s position as a top executive. However, life’s uncertainties, like my father’s eventual retrenchment, made me appreciate the value of good education even more. As a child, I loved playing football with my friends. Over time, I developed a love for books and learning, which led to numerous certifications and opportunities to work with global organizations. But returning to my childhood community, I saw many of those same friends stuck in the same life they had decades ago.
The primary reason, I realized, was the lack of access to quality education at the right time. This stark contrast between my life trajectory and that of my childhood friends was heartbreaking. It became a driving force behind Afrilearn. Our mission is to democratize quality education, ensuring that every child, regardless of their family’s financial status, has access to the education they deserve. We launched Afrilearn in 2020, and have been growing steadily through bootstrapping. The journey of building Afrilearn and impacting young lives has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s more than just a business; it’s a commitment to breaking barriers in education and opening doors of opportunity for countless young people across Africa.
Why Village Capital?
Q: How did Village Capital become involved with Afrilearn?
A: Village Capital’s involvement came at a critical time in Afrilearn’s development. Despite our initial approach of bootstrapping, we reached a point where we needed to refine our product and better understand our market fit. Village Capital stepped in to fill this gap, providing us with invaluable support in fine-tuning our business model, developing a go-to-market strategy, and rethinking our product development. Their program offered us access to essential tools, mentorship, and guidance that were instrumental in navigating the complexities of product-market fit. The opportunity to join Village Capital’s program was brought to my attention by a friend. After researching their impact and noting their support for other successful startups in our ecosystem, including PiggyVest—a leading fintech company in Africa and particularly Nigeria—it was clear that joining Village Capital would be a significant advantage for us. Their endorsement and support have been pivotal in Afrilearn’s ongoing journey and growth.
How a Founder Gets In
Q: Can you describe the application process for Village Capital?
A: The application process for Village Capital began with an online form, which I completed personally. The form was quite detailed and required a significant amount of time to fill out, but it was undoubtedly worth the effort. Following the online application, there were interviews as part of the selection process. What I believe set our application apart was our focus on storytelling. I emphasized telling the story of Afrilearn—why we started, the impact we’ve made so far, and our vision for the future. This narrative approach was not just about sharing what we do but also why we do it and where we aim to go. It was this combination of personal narrative, demonstrated impact, and a clear vision that I carried into the interviews as well. Successfully conveying our story and vision during both the application and interview phases was instrumental in our acceptance into the program. The entire experience with Village Capital, from application to participation, has been incredibly rewarding and a key milestone in our journey.
Funding and Support from Village Capital
Q: How does Village Capital’s funding mechanism work for admitted startups?
A: Village Capital’s approach to funding varies depending on the specific program. In our case, we received partial funding. Generally, Village Capital has different models: they might offer funding to all startups in a cohort, select startups based on performance metrics like attendance, engagement, and growth, or provide grants. Essentially, startups might find themselves in a competitive setup within the cohort to secure funding. For Afrilearn, we were part of a competitive process and finished second, receiving equity-free part funding out of about fifteen startups. The competition focused on various performance indicators, and we were awarded based on our standings in these criteria.
Daily Routine in the Village Capital Program
Q: Can you describe a typical day in the Village Capital program?
A: A typical day in the Village Capital program was highly collaborative and productive. It involved brainstorming sessions with fellow participants, focusing on refining our business models and strategies. We spent a significant amount of time filling out documents, including the Business Model Canvas (BMC), which helped us critically evaluate and articulate various aspects of our business. The program emphasized understanding what sets our product apart, exploring ways to enhance it, and incorporating agile processes. The daily routine was centered around product development, identifying improvement areas, and setting tangible goals for the next milestones. Village Capital provided rigorous support throughout this process, ensuring that we had the guidance and resources needed to achieve our objectives.
Standout Memory and Lessons from Village Capital
Q: What is a standout memory from your time in the Village Capital program, and what’s a key lesson you’ve taken away?
A: My fondest memory from Village Capital is undoubtedly the engagement with fellow innovators. Discussing our respective challenges with one another was eye-opening—it made me realize that I wasn’t alone in this journey. The camaraderie among founders, all navigating similar obstacles, was incredibly affirming. This sense of community, the problem-solving sessions, and the shared experiences of overcoming hurdles were invaluable. We encouraged each other and learned from each other’s experiences, which fostered a supportive environment that is hard to find elsewhere. The key lesson I’ve taken from this is the power of community. Knowing that there are others who understand your struggles and can offer insight or encouragement makes the entrepreneurial journey less daunting. This collective resilience and mutual support are what I cherish most about my time with Village Capital.
Reflections on the Village Capital Program
Q: Is there anything about the Village Capital program that was underwhelming or didn’t meet your expectations?
A: Reflecting on the entire Village Capital experience, I find it challenging to pinpoint any aspect that was underwhelming or disappointing. The program, in my view, was thoroughly beneficial and well-structured. From the outset through to its conclusion, and even in the follow-up after the program ended, the level of support and engagement was consistently high. The team made efforts to check in on us, ensuring we were progressing well post-program. Given this, my experience with Village Capital was overwhelmingly positive, leaving me with no areas of disappointment. It was, in essence, a super perfect journey that contributed significantly to both my personal growth and the development of Afrilearn.
Afrilearn’s Progress Post-Village Capital Program
Q: How has AfriLearn evolved since completing the Village Capital program?
A: When we entered the Village Capital program, Afrilearn was at a stage where our product was available for free use. Essentially, we hadn’t developed a monetizable product yet; we had users, but no revenue stream. The program played a crucial role in transforming our offering into something customers are not only willing but excited to pay for. This shift from a free service to a paid product has been significant for us. Moreover, we’ve been able to experiment with our pricing, even increasing it, and still, our customers continue to see the value in what we offer and are willing to pay. This transition to a sustainable business model, where our product commands real monetary value in the market, marks a remarkable milestone for Afrilearn. It’s a testament to the effectiveness of the insights, strategies, and support we received through the Village Capital program.
Afrilearn’s Future Milestones and Village Capital’s Role
Q: What are Afrilearn’s upcoming milestones, and how do you anticipate Village Capital’s support in achieving these?
A: As the most effective gamified app for Nigerian primary and secondary school learners, our primary focus now is on scaling up across West Africa. We’re currently refining our go-to-market strategy to facilitate this expansion. Once we have a solid plan in place, we intend to reach out to Village Capital for support. Based on our past experiences and the relationship we’ve built, I’m optimistic about receiving their backing. I believe Village Capital’s guidance and resources will be instrumental as we navigate this next phase of growth. Their support in the past has been invaluable, and I’m excited to see how they can help us achieve our goal of expanding Afrilearn’s impact throughout West Africa.
Advice for Aspiring Village Capital Applicants
Q: Do you have any advice for those considering applying to Village Capital or similar programs?
A: For anyone considering applying to Village Capital or any similar accelerator programs, there are three pivotal pieces of advice that can significantly enhance your application. Firstly, storytelling is an often overlooked yet powerful tool in the business world. A compelling narrative that shares not just what you are building, but why, can deeply inspire and influence. Your application is evaluated by humans who connect with emotion before logic, making a story that intertwines your motivations, journey, and aspirations particularly impactful. Secondly, it’s crucial not to underplay your achievements when applying.
Emphasizing your major successes and the impact you’ve already created demonstrates your initiative and the positive difference you’re making, making you a more appealing candidate. Finally, presenting a clear and inspiring vision for the future can be incredibly persuasive. People are naturally attracted to optimistic outlooks and the promise of success and improvement. Articulating where you currently stand, your future goals, and how the program can serve as a bridge between the two is essential. By weaving together these elements—your story, impact, and vision—you significantly bolster your application, showcasing your passion, progress, and potential in a manner that personally resonates with evaluators.