Injini and Mastercard Foundation select ten South African edtech startups for fourth fellowship cohort

Six-month acceleration programme combines grant funding, pedagogical evaluation and mentorship for startups targeting educational access across the continent.

Krista Davidson, executive director at Injini

Injini, a South Africa-based non-profit edtech accelerator and member of the UVU Africa Group, has announced the ten startups selected for the fourth cohort of its EdTech Fellowship, delivered in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The programme, which Injini launched in 2023, offers South Africa-based education technology ventures a combination of direct grant funding, mentorship, market research and product quality evaluation over a six-month period.

Founded in 2017, Injini operates as the only edtech-specialised accelerator on the African continent. Its work spans startup acceleration and applied research through its Injini Think Tank, both focused on improving the quality, accessibility and relevance of education across Sub-Saharan Africa. The Mastercard Foundation is a Canadian foundation that funds programmes aimed at economic inclusion and education across Africa.

The fourth cohort brings together ten ventures working across a range of formats and focus areas. AdvantageLearn offers an online learning platform, while Buddy Learning delivers AI tutoring through WhatsApp. Dalza provides e-learning and monitoring tools, IncludEDU focuses on educational resources, and Inclusive Solutions develops literacy and numeracy software. Khanyisa Developmental Centre uses video-based learning, Tangible builds game-based learning experiences, and The Marking App applies AI to student assessment. ThinkShift is an assessment platform, and Young Aspiring Thinkers, known as YAT, offers AI-powered career guidance.

Krista Davidson, executive director at Injini, described the selection as a deliberate shift in the programme's focus: "As we enter our fourth year of this fellowship, we are intentionally deepening our commitment to equity in education. This cohort represents a powerful shift toward ensuring that no learner is left behind. By supporting entrepreneurs who are specifically addressing accessibility, whether through assistive technologies for learners with disabilities or inclusive platforms for marginalised communities, we are working to build an education ecosystem that serves every child in South Africa and on the continent."

The 2026 programme will provide each selected startup with ZAR1 million, equivalent to approximately US$61,000, alongside mentorship from sector experts, formal pedagogical evaluation and certification through a global quality assurance process, and market intelligence from Injini's education research team.