Nigerian digital learning startup FLOW, which leverages the principles of positive psychology and social-emotional learning to create dynamic and interactive curricula tailored for students aged 7-18, is planning to expand its successful model to other African countries as well as the United Kingdom (UK).
“The seeds for FLOW were planted from my own experiences overcoming educational challenges, realising that academic success alone does not equate to full personal development,” founder Morayo Ojikutu told Disrupt Africa.
Founded in response to these insights, FLOW started as a mission to enrich education beyond traditional academics. It has developed digital learning platforms for individuals and for schools, with Ojikutu saying her vision was for a world where every young individual leads a life “founded on personal values and purpose”.
“Through our comprehensive educational platform, we aim to foster self-fulfillment and improvement, equipping young people with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve their full potential,” she said.
Traditional educational systems often fail to maximise the individual potentials of students, largely focusing on rote learning without fostering critical soft skills like emotional intelligence and creative thinking.
“FLOW addresses this significant gap by integrating essential life skills into the education process, preparing children not just for tests, but for life. Our approach sets us apart from conventional educational models and positions us uniquely in a market ripe for transformative solutions,” said Ojikutu.
The platform integrates theories of Positive Psychology and Behavioural Economics into its learning resources, and since launch has successfully partnered with over 30 top schools in Lagos, achieving significant penetration with minimal marketing.
“Our next goal is to extend our reach to low-income schools and broaden our impact across borders,” said Ojikutu.
The startup has international expansion plans too.
“Currently, our operations are centered in Nigeria, but plans are underway to expand to the UK and other African countries, aiming to adapt our successful models to new cultural and educational landscapes,” Ojikutu said.
FLOW has secured funding from notable sources, including US$30,000 from Orange Corners, supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and an additional US$100,000 from the Mastercard Foundation.
“These funds have been pivotal in scaling our operations and enhancing our program offerings,” Ojikutu said.
FLOW operates on a B2B2C model, where both schools and parents invest in its products.
“Schools purchase bundles for teacher training through the FLOW Academy, while parents can enroll their children in the FLOW Club and sign up for relevant courses. This dual-channel revenue stream ensures steady funding and scalability of our offerings,” said Ojikutu.
