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Phenomenon Technologies, a Zimbabwean based tech startup has recently developed an app that helps schools on the African continent to tackle funding challenges, while having access to science models to foster levels of education.
Nkosana Masuku, a high school science teacher founded the Zimbabwean startup in 2018 after repeated difficulties in trying to pass across the understanding of abstract scientific phenomena to students in the sciences.
Phenomenon Technologies had earlier rolled out a product named FundoVR which was used to support students in getting life experience on science experiments and field excursions via virtual reality.
However, in 2019, the startup pivoted into a new model following its participation in the Google Launchpad Africa Accelerator.
The new model known as Sciency Learning is an app that offers students a pocketable augmented reality lab that allows them to experience science models.
This however according to the founder costs the schools and students a fraction of what imported technologies would offer.
Nkosana Masuku, Founder of Phenomenon Technologies, commented: “The pivot was because FundoVR was not easily scalable as it required thousands of VR headsets. We then made the shift to augmented reality as it was easier to scale,”
The founder explained that the continent has many edtech platforms, however, when it comes to the area of science, students need to learn in a practical way.
According to Nkosana, the app offers students with AR experience such that they can freely interact and gather experience.
Phenomenon Technologies is an applied edtech startup creating a distinctive learning experience as most edtech startups emphasize on e-learning.
Sciency which was launched in July 2020 has more than 2,000 users with monthly growth potentials.
There appears to be a potential for expansion as Phenomenon Technologies signed a collaboration with MEL Science to support African startups partner with European companies.
The collaboration was created by the Sciency app scale throughout the Southern Africa region in the course of this year.
“We are still at an early-stage and have generated revenue which has validated our business model. We make money through subscriptions on the app.
However because we recently launched the application, we have been working more towards tailoring the experience towards our users so as to provide a truly portable lab – thus our recent signing with MEL Science, making us the first African startup to sign such a big collaboration deal with them,” Masuku concluded.
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