The investment, led by VentureWave Capital, will serve as a springboard for iSchool to reach new markets and solidify its position as a leader in coding education for children.

Founded in 2018, iSchool offers live, gamified coding classes for students aged 6-18. Its curriculum covers a range of in-demand skills, including Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, app development, game development, and web development.

The startup has garnered significant traction in the Middle East and North Africa, boasting leadership roles in computer science labs, technical training, and partnerships with 35 schools.

Notably, iSchool has spearheaded national-level initiatives in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

With over 26,000 students, 1 million training hours, and 10 million lines of code written by their young learners, iSchool has established a strong foundation for further growth.

The $4.5 million investment will fuel iSchool’s ambitious expansion plans.

The Dublin office will serve as a strategic hub for its international operations, facilitating entry into new markets and fostering collaboration with global talent.

Additionally, the funding will enable iSchool to expand its reach in the MENA region, scale its online platform. and extend its reach in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The investment, led by the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) alongside Acumen and Hard Edged Hope Fund, includes $7.5 million in debt from the Africa Go Green Fund managed by Cygnum Capital.

This capital injection will fuel Ampersand’s growth in three key areas:

– Boosting production of electric motorcycle batteries: The company aims to ramp up battery production to meet the surging demand from delivery and taxi motorcycle riders transitioning to cleaner mobility solutions.

– Expanding battery swap station network: With a growing fleet of electric motorcycles, Ampersand will strategically expand its network of swap stations in Kigali and Nairobi, ensuring convenient battery replacements for riders.

– Accelerating R&D: Ampersand plans to invest in research and development, focusing on next-generation batteries, software enhancements, and improved battery-swap technology.

Since its 2016 launch, Ampersand was the first to deploy electric motorcycles in Africa (May 2019).

Ampersand’s motorcycles have covered a collective 180 million kilometers, reducing carbon emissions by 8,000 tons.

The company currently serves 1,700 riders and facilitates 140,000 monthly battery swaps in Kigali and Nairobi.

Founded in 2016, Ampersand is headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda. The company operates in Rwanda and Kenya, with 32 battery swap stations and a fleet of 1,700 electric motorcycles.

The company is recognized for its commitment to affordability and sustainability, with its African-made battery fleet leading in cost-effectiveness for light-electric vehicles.

With ambitious goals to serve one million vehicles daily by 2030, Ampersand is positioned to contribute significantly to a greener Africa and create green jobs.