Malaysian Edutech Startups Primed for Regional Growth
Local Startups Extend Virtual Solutions Targeting Schools to Business Organisations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in students adapting to the online learning environment instead of face-to-face classes.
While the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were grim, the imposed lockdowns provided the necessary boon for education technology (edutech) companies worldwide. Learning across all ages, from pre-school to corporate training, moves almost instantaneously online as classes were conducted remotely.
For starters, edutech startups may focus on either hardware or software designed to enhance the learning and education experience. Be it Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), learning-centric apps, or classroom management software. The key focus remains on empowering tutors and students to converge on a single platform.
In 2021, edutech startups such as Pandai Education, Anak2U and Evulx were kept busy as their solutions help students cope with shifting changes in the Malaysian education landscape. These companies took part in various MDEC entrepreneurship development programmes such as the GAIN programme, Digital Maker Movement, and Founders Grindstone Bootcamp.
Pandai Education
Pandai Education, for starters, has been a beneficiary of the edutech boom and was accepted to the prestigious Y Combinator for the Summer 2021 batch. They raised over US$2 million (RM8.3 million) in its pre-seed and seed rounds, which saw participation from Y Combinator, Global Founders Capital, 500 Global, Soma Capital, and Harvard.
Future Goals
Pandai aims to initiate another round of Series A funding by the end of 2022.
Anak2U
Beyond students, edutech startup Anak2U took the opportunity to provide services during the pandemic.
Future Goals
Anak2u has signed a distribution deal with a Dubai partner to export a white label version of the app to the Middle East.
eVULX
Meanwhile, eVULX takes a different approach when it comes to learning.
Future Goals
While eVULX is only 1 year old, it aims to grow its presence in key ASEAN markets such as Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. eVULX will also be launching 3 new digital products in 2022.
