Egyptian Ed-tech startup Orcas has raised a $2.1 million pre-Series A funding round co-led by CIRA’s NFX Ventures, and Access Bridge Ventures to push online learning into more African markets.
The round also had participation from Algebra Ventures, Launch Africa Ventures, Cairo Angels Syndicate Fund, and Seedstars International.
What is Orcas?
Orcas is an Egyptian-based online learning platform that primarily caters for K-12 students with one-on-one study both online and offline. The platform that operates from Saudi, provides a self-paced learning environment that is unique to individual students.
It also imbibes the use of games and free question banks that are streamlined to various learning systems and learners of all age grades.
Orcas was Founded in 2013 by Hossam Taher, Amira El Gharib, Omar Fayez, and Ahmed Ismail orcas to unlock digital live learning capabilities for schools, students and teachers both offline and online in Egypt, KSA, and Pakistan (MENAP).
The platform provides an online discovery channel for parents to find tutors and hybrid courses.
The hybrid learning experience offers personalized learning plans, learning style assessments, and practice assignments for each learner to guarantee the most tailored learning experience possible while empowering tutors to provide high-quality learning sessions.
Speaking on the Pre-seed Funding
CEO of Orcas explained that
“Learners today have different needs that edtech companies must cater to. For that reason, we have evolved into a learning platform that offers the complete spectrum of teacher-led & self-paced learning environments.
With the funding, we will be able to continue to build our technology product, attract the best talent, and expand to new geographies in MENAP,” said Hossam Taher.
Also speaking, CEO of the Cairo Angels Syndicate Fund…
“Our investment in Orcas encompasses everything we’ve built CASF for. The fund was designed to double down and invest in our best-performing startups and to continue supporting amazing founders like Hossam and Amira to build great businesses.
“We are very proud of Orcas’ performance so far and we are confident that with this latest investment.
They will also continue to be market leaders within the space and will now be able to add more exciting educational solutions using cutting edge technology and to bring these products to new markets,”
said Aly El Shalakany.
Ahmed El Kalla, CIRA Board Member and Managing Director of NFX Capital also said…
“Going into this partnership, it was essential to find a partner that shared our same ethos, offering affordable quality education in underserved regions. With our visions aligned, this JV brings the best of both worlds.
I am personally excited to see the outcome of joining forces between EdTech pioneers and innovators alongside established industry players; moreover, the benefit and impact that this partnership shall have on the students and their families.”
“Access Bridge Ventures continues to build on its deep global expertise in the education sector and Orcas is our second investment since our launch in 2021 in Edtech. We invest in innovative ideas, and technologies that will disrupt the traditional education model and create easier, better, and cheaper education access for kids globally.
The team from Orcas is a perfect example of a strong team with strong technology that is looking to address a key emerging market problem.”, said Issa Aghabi, Managing Director at
Access Bridge Ventures.
Orcas will be starting their operations in Lahore, Pakistan in early 2022 to help the students in the 5th largest country in the world find high-quality tutors and personalized learning plans. The platform is unwavering in its commitment to improving the edtech sphere in Africa and in the middle-east.
The Ed-tech platform will also be using the fund to improve on its products and provide better service to it’s users.