Why We Invested: Educatly is Expanding Access to Global Higher Education for African Students
How did TLcom first meet the founders of Educatly? What stood out?
Educatly’s mission to transform access to international education for African students immediately resonated with TLcom. From the outset, the co-founders, Mohmmed, Abdelrahman, and Joan, stood out for their deep education expertise and strategic insight shaped by their roles at AIESEC—the global student-led organisation—and LinkedIn. Their passion for democratising education access and a clear plan for scaling convinced us of their ability to address this critical challenge effectively. As strong advocates for technology’s impact on education, we saw enormous potential in their vision. With our second fund investing in Egypt, we proactively engaged with Educatly at the perfect time, which was just as they were preparing for a seed round after securing partnerships with 1,200 universities and 30,000 users.
Why did Mohmmed, Abdelrahman, and Joan choose to build Educatly? What problem is the startup solving?
The founders’ first-hand understanding of the African student experience and the continent’s higher educational landscape led them to create Educatly. Africa’s tertiary education shortfall forces over 600,000 students to study abroad annually—a rapidly growing number. Yet, these students face significant hurdles: finding suitable programs, navigating complex applications, and securing funding. At the same time, universities struggle to recruit African students due to outdated systems. Educatly bridges this gap with a tech-driven platform that simplifies the discovery, application, and post-admission process for students while helping universities efficiently recruit.
What is the market opportunity Educatly is addressing?
The demand for international education is growing quickly, with over 600,000 African students studying abroad in 2021—a number set to rise significantly in the coming decades. Universities value these students, who pay higher tuition fees, but many face challenges like navigating complex applications and limited access to reliable information. Educatly provides a tech-driven solution to address these issues. Its platform helps students find programs, manage applications, and access post-admission support, making the process easier and more accessible. For universities, Educatly offers an efficient way to connect with a growing pool of talented African students. Educatly is poised to transform international education for students and institutions by bridging these gaps.
What is differentiated or unique about Educatly’s product?
Educatly combines advanced technology with personalised support to revolutionise international student recruitment. Its AI-powered matching efficiently connects students with universities and courses tailored to their needs, while a soon-to-launch blockchain feature will provide instant, secure verification of academic records. Additionally, its Ambassador Network—a growing community of students and alumni—offers one-on-one guidance, enhancing admission success rates and enriching students’ experiences abroad. This unique blend of cutting-edge tech and human-centric support sets Educatly apart. More than a platform, Educatly is a bridge empowering students and universities to succeed together.
Why is TLcom excited about investing in Educatly?
Educatly’s mission to expand access to international education for African students perfectly aligns with TLcom’s focus on investing in high-impact, transformative companies that address critical global challenges. The founders’ expertise, combined with the platform’s innovative technology and the vast market opportunity, makes Educatly a standout solution. By simplifying global education pathways, Educatly creates opportunities for African students to reach their potential while addressing a critical need in education. We are proud to partner with Educatly as it drives meaningful change and helps shape the future of global education for the continent.
Educatly co-founders L-R: Joan Manuel, Mohmmed El Sonbaty and Abdelrahman Ayman