$600k raised by Malagasy startup SAYNA to finalise learning, work platforms
SAYNA, a Malagasy education and freelancing platform has acquired $600,000 in financing to complete development.
SAYNA is a smartphone video game developed to educate digital professions, which employs algorithms to automatically connect learners to IT micro-tasks demanded by multinational firms. It was founded in 2018 by Franco-Malagasy entrepreneur Matina Razafimahefa.
The company has created a whole ecosystem that includes SAYNA ACADEMY, a gamified professional training programme for digital professionals, as well as SAYNA WORK, a microtasking platform. The latter enables learners to gain experience in IT development at an early level, in accordance with their talents, in a safe environment, and as a source of money.
By 2024, SAYNA expects to have more than 3,000 active “microtaskers,” 12,000 learners, and 257,000 commercialised IT microtasks on its platform, thanks to a US$600,000 fundraising round led by Orange Ventures, Launch Africa Ventures, and MAIC Investors Club. The company has already taught 450 students and provided services to more than 60 partners and clients.
“This fundraising is both a crucial step for SAYNA’s international development and a strong symbol for the Madagascar tech scene. Our team is today composed of 25 people split between France and Madagascar. This is also a sign of hope for hundreds of thousands of young African talents who, until now, have not had the opportunity to become professionals to take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution underway on the continent,” said Razafimahefa.
SAYNA’s gamified approach to learning, according to Zach George, managing partner of Launch Africa Ventures, excites him.
“SAYNA, with its focus on soft skills training, mentorships and a peer-to-peer learning environment, stands a good chance of becoming a direct gateway to projects, experience and income for youth across the African continent,” he said.
