Hard time requires extreme measures. Obviously responding to the national lockdown in South Africa necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, South African startup Play Sense, which has developed a unique play-centric curriculum for young children, has raised ZAR8.25 million (US$458,000) in funding to take its in-home, pre-school learning model online.
“We believe that the way families choose to educate their children will be impacted long term and the choice of at-home or small group setting will become the norm of the future. This funding means that we can roll our programme out internationally.”Co-founder Meg Faure, a qualified occupational therapist, childhood development expert and author, said in statement.
Here Is All You Need To Know
- The funding came from Enygma Ventures, the US-based VC firm founded by award winning entrepreneurs Sarah and Jacob Dusek.
- With the new funding, Play Sense aims to equip parents with the knowledge they need for raising their children.
- In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the startup has gone digital, making its curriculum and pre-school format available online to users around the world. Faure says Play Sense overhauled its business model to include a digital offering where children can access their imagination-based play sessions virtually.
Why The Investor Invested
Launched in 2019 Enygma Ventures is a fund with a focus on investing in women entrepreneurs in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Play Sense is its first investment.According to Sarah Dusek, General Partner at Enygma Ventures, the VC was excited about how Play Sense had successfully pivoted its business, adapting its model to serve parents and children during this unprecedented time of schooling from home.
“We are exceptionally proud of the entrepreneurs we are working with, that even in the midst of this COVID-19 crisis, we are seeing amazing resilience, creativity, and ability to pivot their businesses and respond under pressure,” she said.
A Look At What The Startup Does
Play Sense is an education solution that bridges the gap between nurturing home environment and ‘big school’. The startup offers personalised care and stimulation for 2&3 year olds in two exciting home-based programs:
Play Sense completed its pivot in just two weeks, with Faure saying it now offered a home-based education solution, including virtual contact time between teachers and learners, and activity ideas and learning support for parents.
“This will meet the critical needs of parents and their little ones during this period of isolation,” she said.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer.