The MENA EdTech 50 is HolonIQ's annual list of the most promising EdTech startups from the region.
The Middle East & North Africa EdTech 50 is focused on identifying young, fast growing and innovative learning, teaching and up-skilling startups from the Middle East and North Africa region. Powered by data and insights from our Impact Intelligence Platform together with qualitative assessments by HolonIQ’s Intelligence Unit, and local market experts, organizations are evaluated and scored based on our eligibility and assessment criteria, which excludes EdTech's founded over 10 years ago, or those which have exited (listed, acquired or controlled by another organisation).
The MENA EdTech 50 is aligned to the Global Learning Landscape, an Open-Source Taxonomy that maps the education and talent market
Exhibit 2
The 2023 cohort identifies 1 in 5 EdTech's supporting institutions as digital becomes increasingly important in the delivery and administration in education systems. EdTech's delivering solutions for workforce and talent represent 22% of the list as lifelong up-skilling takes hold and companies seek to fill digital skill gaps. EdTech startups servicing international education and language learning grows in this years list.
Exhibit 3
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Egypt represents almost a third of the list and KSA's share grows.
This year's list illustrates the growing use of technology in education with stronger representation from more countries. Egypt retains almost a third of the list, with KSA's share also strengthening. Israel's ecosystem represents 14% and the UAE 12%. Countries such as Tunisia, Kuwait and Jordan are also well represented, with emerging ecosystems of Morocco, Lebanon, Algeria and Bahrain also showing signs of development.
Exhibit 4
Direct-to-Consumer EdTech models dominate the MENA EdTech landscape with B2B share shrinking.
Almost three quarters of year’s cohort operate a direct-to-consumer model with examples across all segments including Geek Express and Brainy n Bright (STEAM & Coding), Akhdar and Wajeez (Education Resources), OBM Education and EYouth (Career Planning), Aanaab and SimplyMe (Teacher Support). B2B startups are mostly supporting institutions to digitise their offerings and deliver efficient management, such as Bounce (pre-school management system), and Augmental, an adaptive learning management system.
Exhibit 5
Still a young ecosystem, but maturing EdTech leaders will support the emerging market.
Just over one quarter of this year's list were founded less than 3 years ago, with many of those operating in the Workforce and Skills and Management Systems segments. Startups such as Shape (Tunisia) which provides users with the tools to build their personalized training plan, and Bounce, a mobile-first communication and management software for preschools and nurseries are examples. Of those mature startups in the list tutoring company, Noon (KSA) and MOOC providers Rwaq (KSA) and Edraak (Jordan) are examples. Growth stages companies include those focused on STEAM (GoMyCode, Tunisia; PraxiLabs, Egypt), workforce and skills (almentor, UAE; Career180, Egypt) and Tutoring (Faheem, KSA; Baims, Kuwait).
Exhibit 6
Track the 2023 Cohort
HolonIQ customers can track the data for the most promising EdTech startups in the region on the HolonIQ Intelligence Platform. Look for the 2023 Middle East & North Africa EdTech 50 list and double click into the data behind the charts. Request a Demo if you are not a customer and would like to learn more.
Deep Dive the List
Customers can deep dive the open-source list on the platform. Request a demo to learn more.
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