The mobile edtech accelerator is inviting applications from global edtech and skilling start-ups.
Education sector-focused impact investor Gray Matters Capital has today opened the application window for the second cohort of its mobile edtech accelerator program – GMC Calibrator.
The 6-month blended program, which hitherto, was for India-based for-profit and not-for-profit organizations with mobile and digital solutions catering to the ‘Learning to Earning’ space, will now be open to global edtech and skilling organizations as well.
With two cohorts and sixteen start-ups mentored every year, Gray Matters Capital is looking to benefit 5 million women and girls by 2020 through this program via improved digital access to quality education and employment opportunities.
Besides the uniqueness of improving user engagement on mobile and digital solutions through the application of behavioral science and data, the selected cohort members of this program will be mentored on product optimization, leveraging monetization opportunities, and making their products accessible to more women.
The GMC Calibrator report card
The first cohort—comprising 8 organizations—represented the segments of Early Childhood Education (ECE), teacher capacity-building, preparation for government jobs, and skilling/ vocational training. They benefitted from the program in the following manner.
Stones2Milestones: Creating a nation of readers
•Average session length doubled, and weekly retention on the reading app, ‘Freadom’, increased by 26% through simple behavioural interventions
•The number of girls using the product increased by over 6%. During the 100-day retention challenge to learn from users visiting the app every day, over 33 users crossed this benchmark, with the highest being 152 days—one of the highest numbers for EdTech, globally.
OckyPocky: KidTech player revolutionizing language learning, especially English
•Engagement on the app is up by 17%. Kids are learning 25 new words every day by spending 20 minutes on the app compared to an average of five new words.
•15% more kids used Hindi instructions to learn English than English-guided voice-overs on the app – demonstrating the power of mother tongue in early childhood.
MadGuyLabs: AI-powered personalized online learning platform for government job exam preparation in 4 regional languages.
•Had a ‘mobile-first’ approach but putting together all the elements on a small screen was a challenge; by sending timely personalized notifications based on their user persona, the Daily Average Time Spent (Per User) went up by 30%; small tweaks on payment screen helped double the number of transactions
•Daily Active Users increased by 15%, resulting in overall revenue growth of 20% within a few months
Million Sparks Foundation: Revolutionizing classroom pedagogy with ChalkLit—a capacity-building platform for teachers and school leadership.
•In three releases of their app since joining the Calibrator, engagement grew by more than 9 times with average session duration increasing more than 4 times.
•88% of users said that there is an improved experience and ease of use.
Sarkari Pariksha: Bridging the last-mile gap in students aspiring for government exams across small towns of India, to reach 1 lakh students across 35 states
•Having identified a big underserved opportunity for girls from smaller towns who can use mobiles to self-learn and reach their dreams where physical coaching access is a challenge, SarkariPariksha launched the ‘Beti Padhao Online’ campaign.
•The app now is available both online as well as in 2,100 offline centres across the country
Meghshala: Empowering teachers to lead enlightened classrooms across government schools.
•Used the Calibrator to learn about the complexity of developing a brand new app to carry their lessons out
•Will roll out the program for CBSE and explore expansion to the NorthEast of India to empower teachers and students in the remote areas of the country
Multibhashi: Skilling blue and grey collar workers with job-ready, contextual English across 12 regional languages.
•Re-designed critical screens of the app that resulted in 8-10% reduction in drop-off rates
•Developed the next version of the product featuring a voice bot
Laqsh: Nation-building by enhancing the employability of India’s youth with in- classroom trainings supplemented by curated digital content.
•Shifting to a mobile-first approach, Laqsh developed its VClass App, and is set to target 45,000 students across 11 states
•The app also incorporated a robust analytics engine to track every stage of the student’s learning process
The behavioural learnings and recommendations from the first cohort of the GMC Calibrator have been collated in the report titled “Efficacy of Mobile EdTech in India”.
GMC Calibrator is inviting applications from start-ups solving problems of learning outcomes, 21st century skills, future of work, skilling, gig economy and gender gaps until January 14, 2019. To apply, please click here.
Student's Corner
Amritpal Singh
Amritpal Singh, IT-ITeS pass out from GSSS Khadur Sahib, Tarn Taran has been working as a salesman with Eureka Forbes for the past 2 months. He has a unique way of handling impatient customers. When the customer does not have the time and tries to shoo him off, he puts on a smile and says “No problem sir / ma’am, please take this brochure and read it if and when you have the time and let me know if I can be of any help”. This has softened a lot of customers who have ended up hearing him out. He gives his entire salary to his parents and feels proud that he can help out at home.
November 16, 2018
Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh is an IT-ITeS pass out from GSSS Khadur Sahib, Tarn Taran and works for Eureka Forbes for the past 2 months. He is employed as a salesman and has been putting his skills into action. He loves traveling to meet his clients and is glad about the experience he is gaining. He gives his salary to his family. When asked, where he sees himself in 2 – 3 years, he said he wants to study further while still working so that he can continue to support his family.
November 16, 2018
Sunil Kumar
Sunil Kumar works in Competent Synergies and is already 3 months into the job which he got after passing out of the IT – ITeS course from GSSS Dutarawali, Fazilka. He follows up with customers who have not recharged or have stopped using Airtel’s service and tries to solve the issues they faced and get them back to being an Airtel customer. He can converse in Hindi, Punjabi and English depending on the customers’ preference. He, says his entire lifestyle and outlook has changed, and he now knows how to conduct himself, talk to his customers, and handle stressful situations. He is also proficient in Excel and is eager to show his skills to his manager to take on higher assignments.
November 16, 2018
Kuldeep
Kuldeep works in Competent Synergies after he passed out of the IT – ITeS course from GSSS Dutarawali, Fazilka. When asked about how the job was, he said “Ekdum badiya!” He sells hello tunes to customers and can handle impatient and tough customers. He stays far from home and has rented a room with his friend. They eat lunch at the office canteen and have dinner at the gurudwara near their house. He gives full credit to the IT-ITeS course he took up in school and has persuaded his younger brother who studies in the same school to take up the vocational course so that he too can land a good job after passing out.
November 16, 2018
Reshma
Everything in life depends upon some word from some source. How we understand the words of our world and how we respond to them will often determine our failure or success in making life choices. Choose the right word. According to me, I am average in analytical skills. Training at Laqsh was really helpful in getting confidence in many areas. Another speciality of Laqsh is the individual attention given by the faculty. The faculty share their own experience. That really inspired me. I attended my first interview on the last day of the course & I got my first job! I am really thankful to Laqsh and the faculty. I am placed in Rapid Value It Services as a Software Tester.
July 27, 2018
Bharath Kumar
One to one interactions have helped me think logically and practically.Our faculty makes software testing concepts simpler by citing a lot of examples.I am encouraged to use them,to test the application on my own and rectify errors.Lab sessions have helped me to improve my practical knowledge.
July 27, 2018
Anitha
It was pleasure for having got trained with institute like Laqsh. Earlier I attend an interview with Ernst & Young and could not clear it as I lacked some skills. Laqsh helped me fill that skill gap and helped me imporve my Computer Skills, Testing Skills, build up my confidence level. I would always be thankful to Laqsh for providing me an opportunity to get placed in Wipro Technologies as a Software Engineer.
July 27, 2018
Mamtha
I am Mamatha.J. LAQSH is a place where you can learn new things everyday. The faculty were helpfull 24/7 I am joining Wipro Technologies as a Software Tester from 24-12-12 . I will never forget LAQSH
July 27, 2018
Washimenla
I joined Laqsh on August, 2012, as BLR 9 batch. But some unknown fear and insecurity took over me. Maybe it was the fear of being in a new place, among new people. I failed to open up myself. So, I started neglecting my classes. I was so stubborn, and so I decided to leave Laqsh. On the day when I came to Laqsh to present my application, to drop the course, something happened. The faculties of Laqsh took a hold of me, because somehow they knew that this act of mine was suicidal. They were not willing to give up on me, even when I myself had give up all hopes. That day was the most difficult day; I had a tug of war going on in my mind. Finally I gave in. I took their generous advice and decided to rejoin again. It was too late for me to join my previous batch, so I joined as the new BLR 11 batch, on October, 2012. That brought a drastic change in my life. Today after three and half months of my stay at Laqsh, I have become a more matured and confident person. I was like a lost sheep at first. Laqsh rescued me, and have so passionately nurtured and guided me to achieve to certain great heights that I had only imagined in my wildest dreams. I am so thankful to all the wonderful, most acknowledgeable faculty of Laqsh and they are the sole reason why I am in such a confident level now. And now I can’t be more grateful and thankful enough to each and every one of them for making me get through in my first ever job interview by Logfire as Software Tester.
July 27, 2018
Yashashwini C
Having got trained in Laqsh I could get two best breaks for my career. I got placed in Wipro Technologies & Accenture as well, of which I chose to join Accenture. I would always be thankful to the people of Laqsh for having guided me for building up my career.
July 27, 2018
Shalini
In Laqsh,I experienced a unique experience to learn things, they teach us to learn & have fun. I enjoyed every moment. All trainers focused mainly on "How to grow into a professional from a student” . They trained us on all requirements that a company can expect from an individual
July 27, 2018
Manu Awalla
“I’m loving it!! LAQSH- is a good platform to learn. I am enjoying every moment. “
July 27, 2018
Pradeep Kumar
Hi I am Pradeep, I joined Laqsh to improve my presentation skills and speaking.I enjoyed the training.It has lot of activities and is fun learning.Thats the best part about LAQSH. Thank you Laqsh.
July 27, 2018
Sindhuja
My sincere thanks to Laqsh job skill academy. It was a great experience in Laqsh for 4 months, it was like an extension of my college life. I learnt lot of new things from this academy like software testing, corporate culture, & so much about software that i was not aware before. Laqsh has a beautiful, friendly atmosphere to study in. They even conduct lot of cultural activities like we celebrated onam festival, Teachers day etc. I got placed in Wipro Technologies with the help of Laqsh academy
July 27, 2018
Neenu
Laqsh changed me a lot. I was very scared to speak before people even in my mother tongue. It got reduced because of Laqsh's education. It is the best platform to learn and upgrade ourselves.The faculty are very helpful & attend to each & every student.The main attraction is it has lot of activities.Laqsh helped me to get through the first interview itself.I got selected in Rapid Value IT Services in Kerala as a software tester. I am very happy
July 27, 2018
McNeil Glen D'Souza
"At LAQSH, I developed leadership qualities and I learned to take initiative."
July 27, 2018
Chandan Rastogi
The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.”- Richard Brinsley Sheridan I’m a B.Tech graduate from IIMT, Uttar Pradesh. I come from a business family. My native is Sitapur. My mother is a teacher of Mathematics and sister a Credit officer at the Bank of Baroda. After completing my graduation I gave a job mentor test conducted by the fresher’s world (helps in analyzing ones aptitude and technical skills). I also looked for jobs but didn’t find anything suitable or interesting. That is when I decided to specialize in a specific domain. I decided to move to Bangalore as it provides good job opportunities in the IT sector and majority of the IT companies are based in Bangalore. I got to know about Laqsh courses through fresher’s world. After joining this course, “My technical and practical knowledge have improved. I gathered skills which helped me clear interviews. Also, I have also become very confident”. Sushma Nagendra and Mr Kannan were my favorite teachers. They used very different teaching methodologies which were easy to understand. My dream is to work with Google. Currently I’m placed at INTEGRA MICRO SOFTWARE SERVICES PVT. LTD, Bangalore as Software Engineer Testing. My advice to everyone is, “One should be confident and never give up. One should have the willingness to learn and adapt then everything will fall into place.”
July 27, 2018
Yogesh Sharma
Training at Laqsh was really helpful in getting confidence in many areas. There are many institute that have similar kind of stuffs but the specialties about Laqsh is its individual attention and its curriculum. Apart from this what can I say about Technical training when person like Kanan Sir and Sushma Mam who has 20 yrs of experience with them are itself in this. Must say that if we have the problem Kanan sir has the solution.
July 27, 2018
Sivaraj.E
I really thank to Laqsh that they gave me the right path to live in this country, that's why right now I work for a software company in bangalore.
July 27, 2018
Nithya Shekar
Its my privilege to be talking about LAQSH as i have learnt many things from this institute. I'm glad to be part of the laqsh family. I joined this institute to learn about software testing. LAQSH has tought me so many things other then the subject in a short period of time. Laqsh has a good set up & I'm really thankful to laqsh and the faculty because they have helped me in every aspect, and now, I'm happily placed in WIPRO.
July 27, 2018
Krishna
"I was a very nervous person but now I am much more confident."
July 27, 2018
Kavitha Sharma
The word LAQSH itself holds a special meaning in my heart. I'm glad to be a part of the LAQSH family. Before joining this institute for manual testing I had no idea about this field as I was from a commerce background. After coming to LAQSH I learnt many things other than the subjects; I got rid of stage fear, I am more confident, my communication skills have improved all of which is very important in this competitive world. Laqsh has excellent facilities & very good faculty who help us in all aspects. With the help of all the faculties and our effort we are happily placed in WIPRO as software engineers. Last but not the least I would like to thank Laqsh for making my career.
July 27, 2018
Priya
In Laqsh,I learnt so many things.Before coming to Laqsh. I dont have proper communication.I was worried about my communication and also my Analytical skills.But In Laqsh the faculties helped me a lot to develope communication,Analytical as well as Technical Skills.They conducte code-A-Thon for us in Java.And that was too useful to develope knowledge about Java.
July 27, 2018
Sadiya Ambareen
Laqsh have a beautiful, friendly atmosphere to study in. Laqsh have given me an opportunity to realize my strength. I would specially give thanks to the professors who have recognize my strengths n weakness. They have truly helped me improvise my technical, analytical skills.. The testing coarse that i attended was of great use to me.
July 27, 2018