What is the biggest problem is Sprints trying to solve?
By 2030, African youth will constitute 42% of global youth. Sadly, only 2% of global tech professionals are Africans. African youth are spending 20 years of their lives in education, yet they are unemployable. Sprints graduates exceptional techies, not just to be employable locally, but to compete globally. At Sprints, we promise a "Guaranteed-Hiring" learning journey where learners only pay after being hired.
Why is the mission of Sprints personal to you?
I was raised in a family of educators. However, I neither liked school nor university. Like most youth, I struggled to understand the relevance of what we were studying. When I graduated from college, my whole family immigrated to the US. Driven by my belief that change has to start with me, I decided to stay alone in Egypt. I started working on the gaps I had in my skills and made my way to the top of tech companies.
Eager for a wider impact, I co-founded two startups and although this created hundreds of jobs, it was never enough, something was still missing. In all the companies I worked for, although we were desperate for good caliber talent to rely on, our applicants' rejection rate exceeded 98%!
This is why I created Sprints to disrupt everything we hate about education and to ensure relevancy by being market-driven.
What are some recent wins that Sprints has experienced that make you proud, and what are some challenges that you are still struggling with?
We have just closed an investment round of 3 Million USD with a plan to scale into 10 new markets. This expansion will not only bridge the African talent gap, but also position Africa as a tech talent hub, as we plan within 18 months to equip more than 200,000 learners with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the face of tomorrow's tech-workforce challenges.
This step triggers a lot of challenges starting from building local teams and a network of partners, dealing with different languages and customer behaviors, and finally keeping up with the fast pace of technology disruption.
When you applied for the ABH competition, were you confident that you would get far, or were you hoping for the best?
While I believe in my business and its potential, entering a prestigious competition like Africa's Business Heroes is humbling. There are so many incredible entrepreneurs across the continent. My focus was on giving it my all, learning from the experience, and showcasing the story of Sprints. Reaching the Top 3 was truly rewarding, but the journey itself with its challenges and triumphs was the most valuable part.
You have applied to the Africa's Business Competition three and you did not make it to the Top 10 in the first two rounds. What did that experience teach you?
While it took three attempts to reach the Top 3 of Africa's Business Heroes, each application was a valuable learning experience. In the first round, I didn't make it past the initial screening. This highlighted the need to refine my application materials and ensure a clear, concise message supported by numbers. The second time, I reached the Top 20, which demonstrated progress. This motivated me to further refine my business model and presentation for the next round. Perseverance and a willingness to adapt proved crucial in my journey.
How did you approach your second attempt, and what do you believe led to your success?
After my first two attempts, I took a critical look at my application, particularly the pitch. While the competition was undoubtedly strong, I felt I could refine my message to better communicate the impact and scalability of my business. I focused on making the pitch clearer, more concise, and highlighting the fact Sprints can really impact Africa’s future.
What would you tell other applicants who would like to apply again but they are discouraged because they did not make it too far in previous rounds?
Absolutely, I encourage everyone who didn't make it the first time to apply again! ABH is not just a competition - it's a springboard for growth. Even if you don't reach the Top 10, the application process itself is incredibly valuable. You get to refine your business plan, hone your pitch, and receive feedback and advice from ABH elite judges and coaches. It's a chance to learn from the best and strengthen your company for even greater success.
In what way will the prize you won support your mission at Sprints?
Winning the prize supports Sprints' mission by providing both recognition and resources that can be leveraged to scale our educational programs. It is being strategically utilized to catalyze expansion into Nigeria, enrich the learning experience with a magnificent library of top-notch tech content, and implement upgrades to our platform. These initiatives are pivotal in enhancing our mission to deliver transformative tech education and employment opportunities across the MEA region.
If you were to go back to the beginning of your entrepreneurship journey, what advice would you give yourself?
If I could go back to the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, I would prioritize building a stronger network of mentors, peers, and advisors. Surrounding yourself with experienced individuals can provide invaluable guidance, support, and connections that can accelerate your growth.
