Beirut-based edtech firm Synkers has raised USD 1.8 million in a pre-Series A round led by Lama and Dalia Al Sulaiman, who run Saudi conglomerate Rolaco Holdings, the startup said. Existing and new investors including 500 Startups (500 Falcons), Phoenician Funds, Kafalat iSME, Mulcan Investment, Seeders, Crescent Capital, and Dubai Angel Investors also invested in the round.
Founded in 2016 by Zeina Sultani and Audrey Nakad, Synkers allows students to book one-to-one online or offline sessions with qualified private tutors and mentors. The startup started with the courses of the American University of Beirut, but has since expanded its offerings to include a variety of courses that even cover test prep and professional skills.
According to its website, Synkers currently supports all major school curriculums in Lebanon and the UAE, including Lebanese, French, American, and British systems. The tests it offers assistance for include SAT, IELTS, GMAT, CPA, and CFA. The platform also features mentors and tutors who can offer advice related to leadership skills, communication skills, and even parenting skills.
In a statement, Synkers said that it currently has over 60,000 users, plus 1,000 tutors and mentors. All the tutors on its platform, the startup claims, are pre-screened, background-checked, trained, and certified.
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Students looking to book a session can browse through the profiles of different tutors, check their ratings and reviews, and book an online or offline session with them through the app. They have the option to pay for the session using a card or cash. The students can also purchase a prepaid package at a discounted rate.
Audrey Nakad, the co-founder and CEO of Synkers, commented on the occasion, “No matter how hard the journey of an entrepreneur is, the impact of our work on our students’ performance pays it all off completely.”
The startup has been focusing on the UAE and Lebanese markets until now. It plans to use the new funds to expand to new markets, in particular Saudi Arabia. Synkers said that the investment will provide resources to invest in its product and technology to offer a better, personalized experience.
This article first appeared in MENAbytes.