PIC CAPTION: Wiem Ben Mahmoud, founder and CEO at KidzRise is passionate about helping children identify their unique talents and strengths and flourish in them through the specialized, AI-powered tools her startup offers. Image: Supplied / KidzRise
The value of the early childhood education market is expected to be worth over $814 billion by 2033 and several African tech startups are capitalizing on this opportunity. One of these startups is the female-led Tunisian based tech startup KidzRise that is focused on “Building the next generation of innovators and value creators” through early identification processes so that children can discover their unique talents and strengths and build on them. Wiem Ben Mahmoud, founder and CEO at KidzRise shares her success story with AfricArena’s Jabulile Sonya Ngwenya about how her startup is making an incredible difference in the lives of children who enter the program.
Excited about the impact KidzRise is having on the lives of children since it was founded in 2023, Wiem Ben Mahmoud tells AfricArena that their success story motivates them to continue innovating and iterating their business to ensure that children thrive in their natural skills, gifts and talents.
“Imagine a world where you get to know all the special things you're great at - that's KidzRise! Our platform helps children discover their unique talents and strengths and develop them through fun quizzes and interactive learning experiences. We focus on what makes each child special, guiding them to explore their abilities and build confidence. By celebrating their individuality, we create a supportive environment where kids can shine and reach their full potential. With KidzRise, every child can unlock their hidden gifts and learn how to use them to benefit their communities and the world!,” Wiem Ben Mahmoud says.
Wiem Ben Mahmoud saw a gap in the market where she realised the educational curriculum seemed to heavily focus on children’s weaknesses and not build them up in their gifts, skills, talents and strengths. “This observation motivated me to create KidzRise. I wanted to shift that perspective by developing a platform that highlights each child's unique talents and hidden gifts from an early age, helping them thrive, feel proud of their special abilities and know how to use these strengths effectively to make a positive impact on the world.”
This was made possible with Wiem Ben Mahmoud’s visionary gifts and leadership skills and Nouha Jegham’s prowess as an AI engineer who uses her expertise to develop the program using innovative tools and AI-powered quizzes. Wiem Ben Mahmoud kickstarted KidzRise through bootstrapping strategies. “While I bootstrapped the business, I built a dedicated team along the way. We relied on our personal financial resources for essentials, including software subscriptions and equipment , contributing whatever we could personally to bring the concept to life. This approach has given us the freedom to shape our startup with deep commitment and resilience.”
She adds, “as a newly founded startup in 2023, KidzRise has recognized the evolving funding landscape and proactively adapted our strategies to position ourselves for success. While we haven't yet navigated a funding winter, we understand the importance of building resilience and sustainability from the start.”
She shares with AfricArena that the defining moment that confirmed KidzRise addressed a need within the market was when Wiem Ben Mahmoud visited a local school to teach children about public speaking and communication. “During this workshop, as I interacted with the students, I noticed a recurring pattern: I saw so many bright kids labelled by what they couldn’t do, rather than celebrated for their unique strengths and talents. Despite their intelligence, they faced constant criticism for poor academic results, leaving them feeling disengaged, so many children brimming with potential but feeling lost and undervalued.”
She says noticing this struck a chord. “This resonated with me on a personal level. Many of us have experienced the sting of criticism for our weaknesses while our strengths went unnoticed. I realized there was a crucial need for a platform that celebrates each child's unique talents, encouraging them to embrace their abilities and express themselves confidently. That day, I was inspired to create KidzRise, a place where every child can shine for who they are and be proud of what they can achieve.”
This is why I’m passionate about what I do, Wiem Ben Mahmoud says. “I truly believe that every child has unique strengths and talents waiting to be discovered. Through KidzRise, I aim to create a world where children are celebrated for their special abilities, allowing them to thrive and gain confidence. The joy of seeing a child light up when they discover what they're great at is incredibly fulfilling , I’m driven by the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to shine and that their talents can be the key to a brighter future, not just for themselves but for the world around them.I want to create an environment where children are empowered to embrace their individuality, become confident leaders, and drive positive change in their communities , knowing that our work can transform lives and shape futures fuels my passion every day.”
No two days are the same for Wiem Ben Mahmoud. “Every new day brings its unique challenges and opportunities, making it anything but ordinary with a personal goal and dedicating myself to a cause that truly matters, so I wake up early while the world is still quiet, I start my day by planning around a series of meetings and tasks,” Wiem Ben Mahmoud says. “I often lose track of time, whether it’s early morning or late at night, I'm all in, because every step forward brings us closer to making our vision a reality.”
Wiem acknowledges that her dedication to building her business comes at the cost of her social life. “My friends might think I’ve turned into a phantom since I’ve put my social life on hold. I’m not sure when it will return, but I’m hoping for an exciting reunion soon! Until then, my focus remains on creating something impactful that can truly change lives.”
She shares that this commitment began during her early months as a solo founder. “In those first months, I wore every hat imaginable, which was exhausting but incredibly rewarding. Now, with my co-founder by my side and a dedicated team of eight passionate and creative individuals, we’re sharing the load and fueling each other’s drive toward a common goal, making KidzRise the go-to platform for talent development!”
Meticulous about how she uses her time, she shares that she dedicates a significant amount of time to product development and collaborates closely with KidzRise’s tech team to ensure all AI tools align with their mission. “It’s fulfilling to see our ideas evolve into resources that help children unlock their strengths.”
Wiem Ben Mahmoud has a busy daily schedule that is filled with meetings with different departments to strategize their marketing and outreach efforts, ensuring they connect with partners and investors to share KidzRise’s story and vision.
“Despite the long hours and challenges, I find immense fulfilment in this entrepreneurship journey,” Wiem Ben Mahmoud says. “Even late at night, as I plan or reflect on our progress, I feel a profound sense of purpose. Ultimately, this journey is about more than just our daily tasks , it’s about creating a lasting impact and preparing a brighter future for the next generations.”
Wiem Ben Mahmoud says winning the “Most Promising Entrepreneur Award” during the AfricArena Tunis Deep Tech & AI Summit has confirmed that what she envisions is a worthwhile endeavour. “Being recognized as AfricArena's Most Promising Entrepreneur is truly inspiring. This award not only celebrates our hard work but also fuels our determination to keep moving forward, knowing we have allies in our mission to help children embrace their talents and shape the future. This recognition reflects the passion and resilience my team and I have dedicated to KidzRise. We’re not just nurturing talents; we’re laying the groundwork for the next generation to rise, create impact, and drive positive change in their communities and the world.”
In addition to celebrating this noteworthy achievement, Wiem Ben Mahmoud says they are celebrating their most recent business success, which is reaching over 5000 visitors on their website. “This organic growth, which was achieved without any marketing or sales campaigns reflects a strong interest in what KidzRise offers and showcases the value of our mission to help children discover their unique talents. This milestone not only validates our approach but also motivates us to further enhance our products and services and engage with our audience.”
KidzRise is launching their first fundraising round to accelerate their impact. “After bootstrapping with our own resources and some initial grants, we’ve successfully built our platform, developed our AI technology, and created engaging content to help children uncover their unique talents. Now, as we enter this new phase, we’re looking to partner with visionary investors ready to transform millions of children’s lives.”
She shares that KidzRise is seeking to raise $850,000 to drive their growth in 2025 and they have nearly one-fifth of their target already secured. “This funding is crucial for advancing our AI capabilities, making it smarter and more intuitive to provide even deeper, more personalized talent insights and development pathways.”
“Additionally, we are developing a range of new innovative products and services to better serve children, parents, and schools, making KidzRise the go-to platform for talent discovery. Strategic investments in marketing and sales will certainly amplify our reach to empower millions of kids to thrive and solve global challenges.”
The best advice a mentor gave Wiem Ben Mahmoud was, “Your vision must stay intact.” This advice, she says, has helped to keep her grounded, focused and avoid distractions so she can navigate challenges with clarity and purpose.
She advises edtech founders “to prepare multiple plans, A, B, C, and so on. In this fast-paced environment, there's no time to waste; always expect the worst and have a solid execution plan ready. Additionally, stay flexible, as the educational landscape is constantly changing, and being adaptable will help you pivot effectively when challenges arise.”
Looking to the future, Wiem Ben Mahmoud shares her bold vision to “reach every child worldwide” as they expand their digital platform beyond Tunisia into the MENA region, with eyes set on the US market, where “we have an exciting opportunity to negotiate our expansion into Washington, D.C. This growth will allow us to reach a broader audience and impact more children than ever before.” She emphasizes that KidzRise is committed to enhancing their product offerings to include a new range of tools “specifically designed to detect and nurture children's unique talents”, refine their AI capabilities, build partnerships with educational institutions and organizations and collaborate with teachers and child psychologists in a concerted outreach and advocacy.
In addition to building partnerships with educational institutions and organizations, we are also looking to collaborate with teachers and child psychologists. We already have a talented committee of educators and child psychologists on board, and their expertise will be invaluable as we develop our programs further, she says. “Together, we believe that these collaborations will amplify our impact and enable us to help millions of children uncover and realize their hidden potential. Together, we are not just building a platform; we are shaping the future of education and talent development for generations to come.”
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