Where other people see problems, Kennedy Kitheka sees opportunities. The biggest opportunity of all in South Africa? Education.
Kennedy Kitheka had a vision to create greater accessibility around education and academic content. Along with two friends, he came up with the idea of creating a technology platform that would provide free academic content for subscribers. The prototype took the shape of a Bluetooth hotspot at Wits University. Once in the hotspot area, students could download specific academic content free of charge. But as soon as they got the project off the ground, they seemed to hit a wall. “It wasn’t a business yet,” says Kennedy, aged 27. “At the time it was just an idea, and it wasn’t perfect, but we knew it had potential.”
It was in a 2011 Business Strategy course at the University of Cape Town that Kennedy saw the chance to harness that business potential. For a class competition, Kennedy worked in a group to develop a business proposal and strategy. It grew into a real-life business pitch and they won the competition, and with it, a prize of R30 000 in seed funding. Kennedy was now able to lay the foundations for Funda, a mobile app that curates curriculum support content tailored around students’ academic needs. He saw the gap for growth and, after signing the idea over from his group members and re-enlisting the support of the friends that he had launched the Bluetooth idea with, Kennedy embarked on his journey as an entrepreneur.
この記事は Big Issue の Issue 250 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Big Issue の Issue 250 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Visit The ‘Seaside Circus'
There’s a new art activation on the prom …
SA's Food Capture?
While the debate rages on over glyphosate-based herbicides, farmers are spraying the chemical all over the world
Design That Uplifts, Delight Intrigues
A collaboration with Southern Guild at the Silo District in Cape Town showcases designer Rich Mnisi’s first solo exhibition, titled Nyoka, on show from 2 October 2021 through to 4 February 2022. Designed to reach out and inspire.
Why Kaaps Language Dictionary Matters!
The first-ever dictionary of South Africa’s Kaaps language has launched. Why it matters …
Hungry, And Tired
This charity has been feeding Cape Town’s hungry for more than 80 years. Never have so many people queued for food.
Life's Ups And Downs
Feeling burnt out? Clinical Psychologist and Business Director at The Human Edge, Helene Vermaak, gives some grounded self-care advice for anyone feeling overstressed or depleted.
WHAT'S ON?
Get out and about under the spring sun, or enjoy entertainment online from the comfort of your couch …
SPACE TO REFLECT
When former Big Issue editor, Alicia English, lost her husband to Covid-19 earlier this year, she and her son discovered a novel way to process overwhelming, difficult feelings.
INSPIRATIONAL READING
Whether you tap, turn pages or listen to audiobooks, an inspirational read can help you relax and see the world differently.
Rough sleeping
“Winters are the worst nightmare for us,” says a homeless man in Springs. Temperatures dropped to minus 7º C recently.