industry: EdTech – Social Impact
Founding student name: Juliana Velez
Brief description of the solution: Brikap is an artificial intelligence-powered adult education platform that aims to bridge the educational gap by providing technical training to vulnerable single mothers with low levels of education. Through a hands-on, interactive methodology grounded in adult learning, Brikap customizes each user's learning journey, prioritizing active problem solving and maintaining a continuous feedback cycle to ensure skill development. Masu.
Funding dollars: We will start pre-seed fundraising.
What inspired you to start this venture? While working at Red Bull, I met a teenage mother named Paola. Paola's circumstances forced her to drop out of school at the age of 15, and existing educational tools made it difficult for her to complete her studies. Paola with the support of her daughters resumed her studies at the age of 37. I was amazed by her story as she fought for her dreams despite all the adversity. Because of her perseverance, she was hired as a human resources assistant at my company and I became her mentor for over two years.
During this time, I focused on her growth and helped her navigate her learning journey. I understood the challenges and gaps that someone like Paola faces after spending most of her life with limited education. I also came to know about the hardships they endure on a daily basis and the impact it has on their lives. This experience helped me discover my passion in life.
With her story in mind, I dug deeper into the problem. In Colombia, it was found that 44% of families are female households, of which 65% live in poverty or extreme poverty. Paola is just one of Colombia's approximately 10.9 million single mothers with low levels of education. Most developing countries with high teen birth rates share this reality. I felt that something needed to be done to solve this problem and break this cycle, as lack of education perpetuates generations of poverty.
What is your biggest accomplishment so far in your venture? Through extensive research, in-depth conversations, and valuable feedback from over 250 single moms, we have developed a deep understanding of this problem and viable solutions. Armed with these insights, we developed a prototype of our platform and actively sought and incorporated feedback. He has received interest from three foundations in this effort, indicating a potential partnership. At the same time, an online Facebook community dedicated to educating single mothers (89 members) has also experienced organic growth, highlighting the need for a solution.
What was the most important challenge you faced when starting your company and how did you solve it? Identifying workable solutions to such a deep and complex problem was difficult because there were many factors to integrate, including diverse educational backgrounds, heavy labor and household demands, economic barriers, and problematic social conditions. did. By engaging in conversations and receiving feedback from many single mothers, we were able to find ways to address this issue.
Given the nature of the problem and the fact that my target market is vulnerable women, I know I will face multiple challenges along the way. But I see them as an opportunity to innovate and find solutions tailored to them.
How did the MBA program help you advance this startup business? The Esade MBA was a life-changing experience that broadened my horizons and exposed me to diverse realities, knowledge, and countless possibilities. At Esade, my focus on social impact, especially through the Social Impact Lab, really influenced my decision to pursue my passion. Additionally, the collaborative spirit at Esade allowed me to develop friendships that were invaluable support and encouragement as I launched my startup.
Who is the founder or entrepreneur who inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey? How did that person motivate you? An entrepreneur I really admire is Louis von Ahn, the founder of Duolingo. I respect him not only for his success in all his businesses, but also because I share many of his values. He found a unique way to monetize his business without jeopardizing its social mission, democratizing access to language education for millions of people around the world. I think he's very innovative in finding solutions that disrupt industries.
Which MBA class was the most valuable in building your startup, and what was the biggest lesson you learned from it? It's difficult to choose just one class, as most courses provide essential knowledge for founding a startup. But social entrepreneurship and impact investing were one of the most important to him. During my undergraduate years, I was exposed to concepts and ideas that were unfamiliar to me at Columbia. I first heard about them until I finished my MBA. This course introduced me to the basic principles and practical examples that helped me achieve what I want to do in the future.
Who are the professors who have contributed significantly to your planning and why? Naomi Williams played an important role in my entrepreneurial journey. In her Racial Injustice class, she learned how social issues can turn into structural barriers that can impact individual progress and perpetuate vulnerability. This understanding was critical to addressing the challenges my startup aimed to address. Additionally, she was my career advisor and provided unwavering support throughout the decision-making process to become an entrepreneur.
How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to the development and success of your venture? I come from a family of entrepreneurs. Growing up surrounded by family members who successfully navigated the business world provided me with knowledge beyond formal education and instilled in me a mindset of resilience and adaptability. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, their guidance and support played an invaluable role in my startup development, filling me with encouragement and valuable insights and lessons.
What are your long-term goals for your startup? Our long-term goal is to revolutionize adult education by creating technology that enables the development of essential skills that contribute to a better quality of life. Additionally, we aim to break down barriers to ensure all vulnerable adults have access to quality education.
