By tailoring education to each child's passions, whether it's art or science, SkillSeed promises to unlock a future where kids don't just learn, but thrive.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to create unique learning profiles, drawing on data from interactive assessments, engagement with videos and books, and feedback from mentors.
'Based on the data that has been collected, when the child answers questions in the assessment, we get to know what they are interested in, and we now give them the content that aligns with what they like,' says Juliet Kelechi, Wekraft's Chief Technology Officer.
'We have modals that they interact with as well, and they can create things on their own depending on what their interest is."
The platform offers gamified challenges, like puzzles and creative tasks, that make learning fun and hands-on. Parents receive detailed progress reports, with stars and badges marking their child's growth.
'It's not as serious as I make it sound; it's more game-like,' Kelechi adds. 'A six-year-old watches cartoons, of course, so we use those kinds of avatars to portray, so it's fun and colourful.'
For co-founder and Chief Operations Officer (COO) Agnes Wambui, SkillSeed's mission, which started in 2023, is deeply personal. Growing up, she excelled at debating on a national level but felt demoralised by a system that valued grades above all else.
'I felt that I would never amount to anything because I was not really good academically, but I never got much support for these other passions that I had,' Wambui recalls.
'We started Wekraft to show parents there are more levels and more measures of intelligence.'
SkillSeed complements the traditional education system, recognising what Wambui calls 'up to nine types of intelligence.' The platform is aimed at nurturing diverse talents like art or debate, even helping kids build digital portfolios to showcase their work globally.
'You have a kid who can draw really well. Why don't you have a portfolio for them that they can showcase to the rest of the world?' Wambui asks, noting opportunities like international exchange programs that such exposure can unlock.
Wekraft's journey began with in-person workshops, where kids engaged in hands-on activities to spark their curiosity.
'We started with the in-person program where we were going to schools and having physical activities with the kids,' says Staphord Nkumbuye, Wekraft's CEO.
The team soon realised the need for a broader reach, leading to the creation of a learning toolkit kids could take home.
'Kids wanted to take some of these activities home… learning continues even after school,' Nkumbuye explains. This toolkit laid the groundwork for SkillSeed's digital platform, scaling its impact to reach more children with personalised, AI-driven experiences.
The platform's practical impact resonates with students like Stalon Mbanda, who recently finished high school. Using SkillSeed's toolkit, he created a vivid illustration of a kidney's structure.
'It helped me bring out the vivid description of what I had in my mind,' he says, noting how the toolkit bridged theory and practice in his pursuit to become a doctor.
Commenting on the current platform, he noted, 'Such programs help me to envision how I would be so that more of my knowledge is no longer theoretical but also practical."
Beyond academics, SkillSeed connects kids with professionals through virtual mentorships and career excursions, exposing them to fields from science to creative arts.
'The goal is to expose kids to as many careers as possible, including the ones which are not here in Rwanda, because the world is an oyster,' Wambui says.
Recognising the digital divide in developing countries like Rwanda, the platform offers offline content for rural areas through partnerships with schools and community centres.
'We are using a hybrid approach to help children in rural areas access the platform,' Kelechi explains.
Wekraft also runs a donation program, where a portion of each subscription, starting at 15,000 Rwandan francs per month, subsidises access for those who can't afford it.
The company is calling on organisations to donate refurbished computers to equip underserved schools.
For Wekraft's CEO, SkillSeed is about shaping a generation. 'We're trying to tell parents we are in an era where passion and love for what you do take you further than following someone else's path,' Nkumbuye says.
The journey to build SkillSeed wasn't easy. But with support from Jasiri, a program empowering high-impact startups in Rwanda and the region, Wekraft found the wings to lift their idea.
'I never believed someone could help me when I just have an idea. Jasiri provided the best coaches in Africa, office spaces, and funding that made it easier to create something really wonderful," Nkumbuye remembers those early days.
'Entrepreneurship can be brutal, but I was having fun because I loved it,' he adds.
According to Wekraft's CEO, SkillSeed has enrolled over 600 students and earned crucial backing from Rwanda's Ministry of Education.
'We even have the backing from the Rwandan government through the Ministry of Education,' he says, adding that the startup's journey has been shaped by guidance from experts in early childhood education.
In a recommendation seen by IGIHE, the Ministry of Education states that Wekraft, through the SkillSeed platform, significantly advances inclusive, skills-based education, preparing youth for the future of work.
"Their learner-centred approach equips young people with essential 21st-century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, digital literacy, and problem-solving.
"Their pilot programs have engaged hundreds of learners, demonstrating a commitment to community development through collaboration with schools, educators, and local artisans. The SkillSeed platform also aligns with global frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for quality education and decent work."
Sarah Mukundwa, an educationist and parent, sees platforms like SkillSeed as a game-changer in shaping the next generation of experts across diverse fields.
'My son is 10. He likes football so much. He told me, 'Mommy, I can be a footballer and a doctor.' This platform tests his skills, so he can know what he can excel in. It will help kids do what they love, not just what they're told by their parents,' she says.
Wekraft plans to expand the program to the United Arab Emirates and Kenya in the near future as it gains momentum.
For parents and guardians, the platform is accessible at: https://parents.wekraft.co/
Watch the video to discover more about the platform.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
