Snapplify expands into Africa
AngelHub Ventures is the investment firm of former First National Bank CEO Michael Jordaan and the Harris family. After an initial investment in the eBook retailer early last year, they have been joined by NuState Capital, as well as a UK-based investor who are both looking forward to optimistic developments in Africa for this second round.
“Snapplify continues to make important innovations in the education market in South Africa, and the greater African continent,” says Michael Jordaan. “their model is one that we are incredibly proud to support.”
Snapplify has seen massive growth over the last 18 months - expanding their offices across the African continent from Cape Town to Johannesburg and Nairobi, as well as establishing a staff presence in Europe. The growth capital will be used to expand even more aggressively into new markets.
Snapplify is well known for the digital education solutions that they offer to schools, colleges and universities that are striving towards digital learning and the use of eBooks in the classroom. Snapplify aims to give students digital access to everything that they need to learn, and empowers teachers to embrace blended learning and teaching methods.
“We’re looking to change the way students access content,” says Snapplify CEO, Wesley Lynch. “Digital learning is about more than just using eBooks. We want to empower teachers to be using video, audio, apps and other interactive media in the classroom environment as well -- but while keeping it within one simple and easy to use learning ecosystem.”
After conducting one of the largest TVET eLearning rollouts in South Africa earlier this year, Snapplify has been appointed to work with the Gauteng Education Department to roll out eLearning to schools. This will see Snapplify being used in classrooms across Gauteng province. Additionally, the company is working with local hardware providers to provide the distribution of eLearning materials to Kenyan schools, in what is the largest eLearning intervention by any government in Africa.
“The Kenyan government's mandate to provide one laptop per child in Kenyan schools, has propelled the opportunity for digital learning forward,” says Peter Mugo, Snapplify’s Kenyan representative, “We are excited to be involved in the future of digital education in Kenya.”
