Barclays Female Founder Accelerator 2023 member
The Educate Technology Company Ltd (TETCo)
TETCo is an Education Technology (EdTech) company offering Software as a Service (SaaS) aimed at disrupting the £135bn Online Tutoring market.
TETCo specialises in developing advanced learning technologies to support the provision of remote teaching and learning through a software application available on any internet-connected device. The company is focused on improving outcomes for students whilst reducing workloads for educators and costs for parents. A key component of our work is ensuring high-quality learning content (video, audio, text) is made readily available with reliable feedback to provide personalised learning journeys, and an ability to export valuable insights to stakeholders to create a more fair and equitable education system.
Why did you apply for the Female Founder Accelerator?
I started TETCo two years ago, we delivered successful products for clients and built a prototype for an innovative educational platform. However, I'm at the point where for the idea to work, I need to scale it and to do that I have to build a strong business case. As a technologist, I'm confident about building things but need support in learning how to market and sell my idea. I am confident that the Female Founder Accelerator will be just the thing I need to become more rounded as a tech entrepreneur.
Do you think there's a need for programmes like this for Female Founders?
Yes, absolutely. I remember when I was doing my Computer Science degree and despairing at the lack of mentorship for women, let alone sponsorship or entrepreneurial training. The most important thing when you're starting off in your journey is to have the right toolkit, and I'm so happy to have found Female Founders to help me get equipped to make my business a success.
Why did you want to start your business?
Access to a good quality education is a postcode lottery. Where pupils live determines where they go to school. Where they go to school determines the learning environment and the relationship they can have with their teacher. This will impact on their learning, but they don’t get to choose their school or their teachers. Our mission is to end the postcode lottery.
What are you looking to get out of this programme?
I'm hungry to learn, and especially to improve my business skills. I'm a technologist and I find the world of business at times mind-boggling. But I am committed to building on the work I've been doing the past two years in building my business and I think this programme will help me shape our offering and make it a success.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Anne-Marie Imafidon, she is an example of someone that shows that with the right initiatives there is so much that we can do to fix gender inequality in tech, as well as society in general.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
I'm very proud to have compiled an amazing team of people combining business, technology and education expertise. We have a purpose-driven and diverse team that came together through a collective vision for a better future enabled by a fairer and more equitable education system. It might sound cheesy but it's what has made the most impact and led to us raising enough revenue to finish our prototype.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Pitching! I'm an introvert and a bit of a geek, so learning how to describe my ideas and my work outside of tech circles has been an uphill battle but incredibly rewarding.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
As a volunteer community organiser in tech, I was fortunate to be connected to intelligent and passionate individuals. I formed connections with mentors that I couldn't have found anywhere else. The most impactful advice was to just start from anywhere, even something small, and go from there. It meant that I finally found the confidence to implement the ideas that I had for so long just in my head.
What drives you to make your business a success?
It's all about impact. There is so much that needs to be improved in the world but my aim is to drill down to the core and find the work that would have the biggest impact. I believe improving access to good quality education is the most important challenge of our time.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Don't just trust your instinct, work to sharpen it. It's your most important ally!