Edutech: Classera raises $40m in series funding

…Sets to deepen footprints across Africa

By Juliet Umeh

A global education technology learning management platform, Edtech, Classera, said it has successfully raised $40 million in a Series A round.

The start-up said the Series A round, which represents the largest funding round ever in Edtech in the Middle East and North Africa, MENA, region and most of Africa, is expected to advance Classera’s Learning Super Platform, LSP, and also deepens its global expansion into new markets, especially in Africa.

According to the firm, the round was led by the Public Investment Fund, PIF-owned Sanabil Investments, a Saudi-based investment giant, accompanied by Global Ventures, Endeavor Catalyst, 500 Global, Sukna Venture, and Seedra Ventures.

It said: “Also involved in the round were other investors from Silicon Valley, emerging markets, and global family offices. Crucially, the investment will see Classera accelerate on its global trajectory and target more growth in MENA, the rest of Africa, and to fast-track its expansion, especially into Asia Pacific, APAC and elsewhere.

“These strategic expansionary plans will be driven by direct sales of its cutting-edge learning solutions, through channel partners, and via acquisitions.

Similarly, proceeds of the investment will also help Classera – via its specialized platform for corporate e-training, LeadXera to expand faster into that huge sector which is one of the primary targets of the investment.”

As part of its growing footprints in Africa, Classera recently partnered with TD Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading distributor of tech, services, and lifestyle products.

The to the two firm, “The partnership will see Classera leverage TD Africa’s growing database, network of resellers/partners as well as its considerable reach to grow the adoption of its bouquet of e-learning solutions among millions of users across Nigeria and Ghana. “Specifically, through TD Africa, Classera will gain access to and introduce a range of smart learning tools to clients in the education sector, including schools at every level.”

Coordinating Managing Director, TD Africa, Mrs. Chioma Chimere said: ‘‘We are delighted to be associated with Classera, particularly in the light of this landmark fundraise and in view of the massive potential in boosting e-learning for a variety of key users across Nigeria and Ghana,’’ ‘‘Leveraging our army of resellers in these markets, we are confident that this strategic partnership will go a long way in expanding access to the suite of cutting-edge solutions from Classera for millions of new users.’’

Also, Strategic Partnerships Director at Classera, Mahmoud El Gabry, said: “As we just completed one of the largest funding rounds a company with no prior funding had done in the EdTech industry, we are determined to extend our worldwide presence focusing on Africa to accomplish our vision.

“Today, I am very excited about our new partnership with TD Africa to empower the learning journey of our clients in Nigeria and Ghana benefiting from the innovation brought by Classera and its globally recognized and awarded learning solutions spearheaded by its state of art Learning Super Platform (LSP).

“Equally important, Classera, last year, launched a co-branded solution alongside HP under the name “HP-ClassEasy by Classera” which is now offered in several countries globally, with an eye on accelerating its growing adoption in Africa as well.

“The solution is an Education Super App for K12 and Higher Education that leverages AI, gratification and social learning to bring new levels of learner engagement to life, break through the challenges of increasingly difficult online student engagement and go beyond ordinary learning management systems,” Gabry said.