Star-tup of the month: Alaprann concludes Round B funding, seeks new private sector partnerships to scale its impact

Over the past few months, Alaprann.mu has been part of the acceleration cohort at La Plage Factory, where it has achieved significant milestones: 

Programme Impact 

As part of their proof of concept, Alaprann.mu has piloted two 'sprints' (pre-exam revision sessions) during exam periods in 2022 and 2023. These sessions focused on key academic subjects and were initially conducted with a sample of students. Now, Alaprann.mu is preparing to roll out content to support a full academic year for grades 9, 10 and 11. 

Currently, there is a premium cost per subject on Alaprann.mu's platform, but this cost is waived for disadvantaged children as part of the organisation's social impact initiatives. Alaprann.mu is partnering with local NGOs to track, identify, and monitor this group of learners. However, this number is not sufficient, and the organisation seeks additional support from private entities, particularly through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, to expand its outreach initiatives for students from humble backgrounds who may lack the means to access these unique offerings.   

Private entities can support directly by covering the costs for employees' children or specific employees seeking to advance their studies. Alternatively, they can provide indirect support by channeling their CSR funds to Alaprann.mu, which then offers free educational access to children from underprivileged backgrounds. Currently, educational materials are accessed through an online platform, but in the next month, these materials will also be accessible through a mobile app. 

Funding 

The company closed its round A funding in December, which involved Mo Angels (business angels and Eclosia group), and Blue Chip Capital. Recently, it concluded its round B series with other partners who prefer anonymity. The funds raised in both rounds will be utilised to scale the mobile application and marketing campaigns, aiming to raise awareness about the company's product and increase enrollment rates for the programs. 

Challenges 

The main challenge for the company has been funding. Thibaut, the CEO and Founder of Alaprann.mu, states that the main criteria used to identify partners were those who shared the same vision and mission as their company. This focus on finding perfect matches rather than just securing funding slowed the search process down. Additionally, the company faced challenges in hiring quality teachers from a wide pool of applicants. 

Future plans 

The company is now focused on scaling its impact by enrolling more students in the next round. Additionally, it aims to transition from fully online sessions to a hybrid format, combining online sessions with bootcamp sessions for increased face-to-face engagements. Alaprann.mu is also seeking new partnerships with private sector players to scale their social impact initiatives. If you are a private sector player inspired by the impactful story of Alaprann and would like to join hands in advancing their mission, you can reach out to them at Thibaut@alaprann.mu.