Founded in 2020 by Omar El-Barbary and Ezz El-Din Farag, OBM Education specializes in guiding pre-university students in selecting their college majors and offers access to comprehensive career advice and training programs.

The cornerstone of OBM’s offerings is the Taleb Super App, a revolutionary tool that has had a transformative impact on high school students throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The app provides students with carefully curated content, precise assessments, and premium services to assist them in making informed decisions about their educational and career paths.

OBM Education’s recent funding round has been made possible through a six-figure investment from Value Maker Studio (VMS), further accelerating the company’s expansion efforts in Saudi Arabia.

Omar El-Barbary, co-founder of OBM Education, emphasized the significance of this investment, stating: “Investment is more than capital – it embodies shared visions and unyielding commitment. With VMS, we’re solidifying our resolve to enrich every student’s educational journey.”

This recent funding round builds upon OBM’s previous success in securing a six-figure US dollar investment from EdVentures in August 2022, underscoring the growing recognition and support for the startup’s mission to empower students in their educational and career choices.

OBM Education’s innovative approach and commitment to enhancing the educational journey of students have positioned it as a noteworthy player in the ed-tech industry.

With the support of VMS, the company is well-equipped to expand its influence and provide valuable resources to students in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its dedication to improving access to quality education and career guidance in the region.

This significant funding round comprises $43 million in equity investments and $60 million in debt financing, making it the largest equity raise of its kind in the mini-grid industry.

Husk Power Systems, known for its innovative solutions in renewable energy services, has been actively involved in rural electrification since its establishment in 2008.

The Series D equity investors include several distinguished names in the industry, such as STOA Infra & Energy, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Proparco, Shell Ventures, Swedfund, and FMO.

Simultaneously, the debt financing was secured from notable financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Husk Power Systems is celebrated for its AI-enabled platform for renewable energy services, which has played a pivotal role in providing clean energy to rural communities in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

The mini-grid systems offered by the company have the potential to provide reliable, affordable, clean, and modern power to a vast number of people, particularly in regions with limited access to electricity.

In addition to expanding energy access, Husk Power Systems has ventured into the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, evolving into an integrated platform offering a wide range of low-carbon and climate-resilient energy services.

These services encompass energy-efficient appliance sales and financing, commercial and industrial rooftop solar, e-mobility, agro-processing, and cold storage solutions.

One of the company’s ambitious initiatives is the deployment of 500 solar mini-grids in Nigeria within the next five years.

To date, it has deployed over 200 mini-grids in Nigeria and India, serving over 10,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and mitigating 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions through its mini-grids.

With the freshly acquired capital, Husk Power Systems has set its sights on further expansion.

The company aims to grow its mini-grid footprint to 1,500 units, achieving an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 60% while maintaining a retention rate of over 90%.

This funding will also increase the number of mini-grids in sub-Saharan Africa, aligning it with the deployment in India.

In its pursuit to provide clean energy to half a billion people by 2030, particularly in Africa, Husk Power Systems has unveiled the “Africa Sunshot” initiative.

This ambitious project seeks to install 2,500 mini-grids across six countries within five years, potentially mobilizing over $500 million in equity and debt financing for Husk Power Systems and paving the way for substantial growth.

CASH PLUS is one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in Africa.

The company provides various financial services, including online payment and transfer services, bill settlements, and other modern payment solutions.

The €57 million investment will support CASH PLUS as it continues to expand its network in Morocco and abroad and enhance its digital financial services offerings while boosting financial inclusion across Morocco.

“We are excited to partner with CASH PLUS, a leading fintech company in Morocco with a strong track record of innovation and growth,” said Hatim Ben Ahmed, Managing Partner at Mediterrania Capital Partners.

“We believe CASH PLUS is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for digital financial services in Morocco and across Africa. We look forward to working with the CASH PLUS team to support their expansion plans and help them achieve their mission of promoting financial inclusion.”

The investment in CASH PLUS is a testament to the growing interest in fintech companies in Africa.

The continent is home to a number of rapidly growing economies with a large young population.

This, combined with the low penetration of financial services in many African countries, presents a significant opportunity for fintech companies.

Meanwhile, the latest investment in CASH PLUS is also expected to boost financial inclusion in Morocco.

This investment marks EdVentures’ second investment round in Crafty Workshop.

The platform offers diverse courses, training programs, and workshops spanning creative domains such as crafts, design, photography, programming, game development, and animation.

Dalia Ibrahim, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Nahdet Misr Publishing and EdVentures Foundation, commented on the development, stating:

“Our strategic objective is to advance the educational technology sector and nurture the talents of entrepreneurs in this critical field.”

Crafty Workshop is one of four startups supported by EdVentures that have attracted fresh investments from Saudi and international backers due to their significant impact on the education sector.

The other three startups are OBM, an Egyptian company offering training and qualification programs, career counseling services, and guidance for students in university and specialization choices; Akhdar, another Egyptian enterprise that provides cultural book summaries via its digital application; and Jeel, a Saudi firm that offers an educational and entertaining mobile application for children.

EdVentures’ investment in Crafty Workshop is a positive development for the Egyptian edtech sector.

It demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting innovative startups, transforming how people learn and develop new skills.