Biisgo
- Burkina Faso
- For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
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BDLS is a goal-oriented and impact-driven organization that aims to become a game-changer in delivering innovative and highly impactful language and capacity-building services, solutions, and technologies in Africa.We aim to improve the field of language services, skill development, and technology in Africa. Our main objective is to help people and businesses across the continent communicate with the world and enhance their personal and career opportunities.
It's important to connect French- and English-speaking African countries, especially to give people better opportunities. The world is changing quickly, and to be successful in the global economy, people need to know different languages, social skills, and technology.
Considering that, BDLS targets a diverse audience including school-aged children, teenagers, university students, young professionals, and organizations in eight French-speaking West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. Through our initiatives, we aim to equip these individuals and organizations with the necessary tools and resources to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
As a Burkina Faso-based company committed to innovation and impact since 2017, our forward-looking linguistic services, projects, programs, and capacity-building technologies are designed with a bold ambition: to directly empower 10 million children, teenagers, students, and young professionals in relevant French-speaking West African countries by 2030. We operate as a private company and invest most of our revenues back into generating social impact.
For the Biisgo project, our target audience is individuals in French-speaking West Africa who are looking for education. The focus is on areas such as English fluency, leadership, entrepreneurship, and technical proficiency. According to data derived from relevant websites (https://www.worldometers.info/... for example), our target beneficiaries are estimated at 157,251,462 young people in the eight French-speaking West African countries considered by the project. Based on these data, we estimate our Total Addressable Market (TAM) at 3.7 billion, while our Service Obtainable Market (SOM) is estimated at 1.3 billion given the current competitors and other organizations pursuing similar goals in French-speaking West Africa.
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Biisgo is an online platform set to make a meaningful difference in driving learning and growth by offering cutting-edge online educational programs customized for the unique requirements of individuals in French-speaking West Africa. With Biisgo, learners can enhance their language proficiency in English, cultivate their leadership and entrepreneurial talents, and acquire technical know-how, bolstering both their personal and professional development. Moreover, Biisgo provides convenient learning options, enabling users to seamlessly access educational materials anytime and anywhere, at a pace that suits them.
Biisgo not only enables individuals to pursue their educational objectives, regardless of their location or schedule but also instills a lifelong love for learning. Through its interactive and immersive learning modules, Biisgo creates a stimulating and inclusive learning atmosphere that facilitates active engagement and retention of knowledge. By bridging educational disparities, fostering the acquisition of new skills, and empowering individuals to excel in a constantly changing world, Biisgo is paving the way for a brighter future.
For the Biisgo project, our main target audience is individuals in French-speaking West Africa who are looking for educational and professional growth opportunities.
Professionals:
Biisgo's customized programs offer professionals a valuable opportunity to boost their capabilities in areas spanning leadership, entrepreneurship, and technical proficiency. By equipping professionals with essential tools for career advancement and growth, these programs empower them to maintain a competitive edge in their chosen industries.
University students:
Biisgo caters perfectly to university students by providing valuable educational programs in addition to their academic coursework. These programs are specifically designed to enhance English language proficiency, a key component for thriving in academics, and to nurture leadership and entrepreneurial aptitude, vital for students seeking a successful career path. Biisgo's adaptable learning options conveniently fit into students' hectic schedules, enabling them to augment their abilities while pursuing their degrees.
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners:
Biisgo is a game-changer for entrepreneurs and business owners, offering specialized programs tailor-made to enhance their business ventures. These highly effective programs prioritize the development of crucial skills such as leadership, strategic planning, and innovation, all of which are essential for entrepreneurial triumph. Additionally, Biisgo equips entrepreneurs with valuable resources on business management and growth strategies, empowering them to effectively build and expand their ventures.
Educators and Trainers:
Biisgo is a valuable tool for educators and trainers looking to enhance their teaching skills and broaden their expertise. With a wide range of resources on instructional design, teaching methods, and educational technology, Biisgo empowers educators to craft dynamic and impactful learning experiences for their students. Furthermore, Biisgo offers professional development opportunities to ensure educators are up to date on the latest trends and best practices in education.
Government and Nonprofit Organizations:
Biisgo is a valuable resource for governmental and nonprofit organizations, providing a wide range of programs to support their capacity-building efforts. These programs are designed to enhance critical skills like project management, communication, and community engagement, all crucial for the successful execution of projects in these sectors. Additionally, Biisgo offers valuable insights on policy development and advocacy, empowering organizations to address pressing social and economic issues within their communities. With Biisgo's support, these organizations are better equipped to tackle challenges and make a positive impact in their communities.
School Kids and Teenagers:
Through Zoe Academy, we thrive to impact the lives of schooled kids and teenagers in Burkina Faso. Our innovative curriculum includes English proficiency, soft skills, STEM education, and other relevant skills. Alike Biisgo, our organization is currently designing the KidsConnect Africa platform with the bold objective of empowering 5 million kids and teenagers, increasing the total number of individuals impacted to 10 million in eight French-speaking West African countries by 2030.
BDLS's team members possess a wealth of experience and expertise in constructing the innovative Biisgo solution. With a combined background in entrepreneurship, educational innovation, and community engagement, they are exceptionally equipped to tackle the obstacles encountered in French-speaking West Africa. They gained a lot of experience thanks to impactful initiatives like "English for Youth Empowerment" initiative has already reached over 2,000 students and young professionals (65% of whom are young women), offering English, leadership, and entrepreneurship training while facilitating access to local and international opportunities for personal and professional development and also Zoe Academy. The latest one is a project launched in 2021 to equip school-age children and teenagers aged 5-17 with critical skills like practical English, STEM education, soft skills, leadership, and entrepreneurship. So far, the program has trained over 250 children and teenagers, winning multiple local and international awards. One year from now, we aim to launch "Biisgo" online platform. The Biisgo project aims to allow them to deliver their "English for Youth Empowerment" and "Zoe Academy" services online, significantly expanding their impact and bringing them closer to their 2030 goal.
Additionally, their commitment to financial inclusivity has led to fostering scholarship and fellowship programs that broaden access to their services. An example of this is the fees for Zoe Academy that allowed many children and teenagers to be trained even though they couldn't afford it. This initiative focuses on school-age children and adolescents, teaching practical skills such as proficiency in English, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), leadership, and entrepreneurship that are lacking in the current educational system. Zoe Academy reaches out to marginalized children through powerful partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations.
With a proven track record of successful initiatives like EYE and Zoe Academy, coupled with their deep connections to the region, the team members possess the necessary skills and insights to develop Biisgo into a transformative educational platform.
- Provide the skills that people need to thrive in both their community and a complex world, including social-emotional competencies, problem-solving, and literacy around new technologies such as AI.
- 4. Quality Education
- 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 10. Reduced Inequalities
- Pilot
Biisgo is in the Pilot phase, having developed from a concept into a practical solution being tested in real-world settings. This phase focuses on refining the solution based on feedback from users and data collected during pilot programs. The Pilot stage enables Biisgo to evaluate its effectiveness, gain user insights, and make necessary changes before expanding its reach. This phase is critical for optimizing the solution, pinpointing potential challenges, and preparing Biisgo for wider adoption and growth.
We, BDLS, are seeking to join Solve because we value the power of partnerships and collective efforts in tackling global issues. Despite progress in initiatives like the Biisgo project, we still face obstacles in scaling our impact:
- Financial limitations hinder our expansion to a broader audience.
- Technical challenges arise in optimizing our online learning platform.
- Legal issues need to be addressed when dealing with regulations in different regions of French-speaking West Africa.
-Cultural and market factors can affect the acceptance of our solutions in certain communities.
By taking part in Solve, we aim to tap into its network of partners to tackle challenges in education. We're looking for collaborations that support our initiatives, both financially and through expertise. We need technical help to improve our platform, legal advice to handle regulations, and cultural knowledge to adapt our solutions to different communities. By working with Solve and its partners, we aim to spread our solutions quickly and make a lasting difference in education in French-speaking West Africa.
- Business Model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
- Product / Service Distribution (e.g. delivery, logistics, expanding client base)
- Public Relations (e.g. branding/marketing strategy, social and global media)
- Technology (e.g. software or hardware, web development/design)
Biisgo's approach is groundbreaking in several ways that transform how education is tackled in French-speaking West Africa. Firstly, it's comprehensive: its online platform offers a full spectrum of crucial skills. Unlike conventional education systems that concentrate on academics, Biisgo combines language fluency, leadership, entrepreneurship, technical expertise, and interpersonal skills in its programs. This holistic approach ensures that students gain the comprehensive skill set necessary for success in today's ever-changing and competitive world.
Secondly, Biisgo uses technology to make learning easier and more convenient for all students. It offers online classes and mobile apps, so people can learn from anywhere, anytime, no matter where they live. This opens up educational opportunities for people who may not have had them before, and it makes education more accessible and affordable for everyone.
Moreover, Biisgo stands out with its focus on practical learning that connects directly to real-life situations. Instead of sticking to traditional education methods, Biisgo uses interactive games, simulations, and hands-on experiences to make sure that students not only gain knowledge but also learn practical skills they can use right away in their daily lives and careers. This hands-on learning style makes it more engaging and easier to remember, leading to better skill development.
Biisgo's innovative education model has the potential to revolutionize education in French-speaking West Africa. By effectively demonstrating its approach, Biisgo can inspire other educational institutions to adopt similar methods, creating a shift towards a more comprehensive and practical education system. This transformation would empower individuals economically, promote social advancement, and contribute to the sustainable development of the region.
Biisgo, is expected to have an impact on the problem of education in French-speaking West Africa in the following way:
Activities: Biisgo offers digital training programs that enhance Language skills, Leadership abilities, Entrepreneurial mindset, technical knowledge, and soft skills grooming. These programs are accessible through engaging online modules, convenient mobile tools, and immersive in-person workshops.
Outputs: Through online courses, interactive exercises, and hands-on activities, learners will gain a well-rounded education. They will enhance their language proficiency, leadership skills, business knowledge, and technological competence.
Immediate Outcomes: After participating in Biisgo programs, individuals will show:
-Improved language abilities
-Enhanced leadership and business skills
-Increased expertise in technical areas
-Greater assurance and competence in using these skills in practical situations.
Longer-Term Outcomes: By completing this learning program, individuals will gain better education and employment prospects. They'll be more prepared to continue their education, find jobs, or launch their businesses. Furthermore, their improved knowledge and skills will help their communities grow economically, innovate, and advance socially.
Evidence and Support: Our belief in the effectiveness of hands-on learning is backed by research. We also receive positive feedback from past participants and stakeholders in education. To further ensure the success of our program, we regularly conduct assessments and gather data to assess the impact of Biisgo on student outcomes and monitor their growth.
Overall, Biisgo's theory of change clearly defines a logical sequence between our actions, their immediate results, and the long-term effects they aim to have on our target audience. By using interventions based on evidence and continuously monitoring and evaluating our progress, we strive to create a meaningful and lasting impact on education in French-speaking West Africa.
Our mission at Biisgo is to empower individuals in French-speaking West Africa with the knowledge and abilities they need to succeed in today's global marketplace. We aim to achieve this impact through various goals:
Improved Language Proficiency: To improve participants' ability to use and understand languages, such as English, French, and other relevant ones, so they can communicate successfully in various situations.
Enhanced Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills: Nurture leadership skills and entrepreneurial instincts in individuals by encouraging innovative ideas, creative thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
Increased Technical Competency: Provide participants with cutting-edge skills in technology, digital know-how, and STEM subjects to prepare them for the evolving job market.
Greater Employability and Career Advancement: We aim to empower individuals to enhance their job prospects or career advancement by equipping them with the essential abilities and certifications that employers actively seek.
Community and Socioeconomic Impact: Our mission is to enhance the well-being of communities by equipping people with the skills they need to boost the economy, foster a sense of belonging, and overcome local obstacles.
To measure our progress towards these impact goals, we utilize a combination of qualitative and quantitative indicators, including:
Participant Feedback and Testimonials: Participants regularly provide feedback about their learning experience, how their skills have improved, and how the program has positively impacted their personal and professional lives.
Skills Assessments: Assessments are conducted before and after the program to evaluate participants' growth in:
-Language abilities
-Leadership skills
-Technical expertise
- Any other applicable skills
Employment and Career Outcomes: Monitoring participants' job status, professional growth, and business endeavors after they complete the program.
Community Impact Assessments: Assessing the comprehensive effects of our programs at a community level, encompassing their contributions to job opportunities, the growth of businesses, and fostering a sense of unity among residents.
Longitudinal Studies: Engage in ongoing research (longitudinal studies) to observe individuals' advancements and results over time, aiding in understanding how successful and sustainable our efforts are in the long run.
By continuously keeping track of these important measures and comparing our progress to our goals to make sure that Biisgo is still working towards its goal of making a big difference in the lives of people and communities in French-speaking West Africa.
Biisgo's core offering is its comprehensive online learning platform. It combines the latest educational technology and digital tools to provide exceptional training and skills development programs. The platform includes a range of innovative features:
Interactive Learning Modules: Participants can learn interactively and engagingly through the use of dynamic multimedia content like videos, animations, and simulations.
Personalized Learning Paths: Learning tools use smart technology to create personalized learning plans that suit each student's unique needs, interests, and knowledge level. This leads to a tailored, successful learning experience.
Virtual Classrooms: Online classes offer interactive virtual settings with knowledgeable instructors. Students engage in real-time discussions, receive personalized feedback, and benefit from assistance. This creates collaborative learning experiences where students support each other.
Gamification Elements: Interactive learning tools like quizzes, challenges, and awards are used to improve students' interest, motivation, and ability to remember important ideas and skills.
Mobile Accessibility: Learning materials are easily accessible through mobile-friendly designs and apps for smartphones and tablets. This allows participants to engage in coursework whenever and wherever they choose, using the convenience of their mobile devices.
Data Analytics and Insights: The platform offers sophisticated data analysis and reporting tools that monitor students' progress, achievements, and engagement levels. This data provides instructors and administrators with useful insights to help them modify teaching strategies and boost student performance.
Community and Peer Support: Web-based spaces like forums and discussion boards allow people to connect with each other and share knowledge. They also provide tools for people to work together. These spaces create a sense of community and support, where people feel connected and included.
Biisgo integrates cutting-edge technology with traditional indigenous wisdom, recognizing that ancestral knowledge can help solve modern problems. By blending the two, Biisgo aims to create a well-rounded learning environment. This includes students from different backgrounds gaining essential skills and knowledge for the digital era, while upholding and respecting their cultural traditions.
- A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
- Audiovisual Media
- Internet of Things
- Software and Mobile Applications
- Burkina Faso
- Benin
- Mali
- Niger
- Senegal
Six people are working on the project and all of them are full-time workers.
We have been working on the Biisgo project for five years. Initially, we began to implement the project locally through the English for Youth Empowerment (EYE) and Zoe Academy programs. It has been a great success considering the results and we think it is the right time to expand it on the international market.
BDLS places great importance on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our Biisgo team. We believe that a diverse range of viewpoints and experiences contributes to more innovative solutions and enhanced outcomes for our community and partners. To create a welcoming and inclusive environment, we have implemented several initiatives and practices:
Diverse Leadership Team: Our leadership team for the Biisgo project represents a wide range of perspectives. Members come from different backgrounds in terms of gender, ethnicity, and culture. This diversity in leadership fosters an inclusive environment that permeates all aspects of our organization.
Recruitment and Hiring Practices: We take steps to find and hire people from groups that are historically underrepresented in our workforce. We use job boards and descriptions that are inclusive to get a wide range of applicants. We value people who add different viewpoints, knowledge, and backgrounds to our team.
Training and Development: We prioritize continuous learning and development opportunities in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for our staff. Through these programs, we empower our team with the expertise to create and maintain a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. These initiatives focus on addressing unconscious biases, developing cultural awareness, and equipping our leaders with inclusive practices.
Inclusive Policies and Practices: We prioritize inclusivity by implementing policies and practices that remove obstacles to success for our employees. This includes flexible work arrangements, fair compensation and benefits, and opportunities for all staff members to develop and advance professionally, regardless of their personal or professional background.
Regular Feedback and Listening Sessions: We regularly gather feedback and hold discussion sessions with team members to hear their thoughts, issues, and ideas about our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Their feedback helps us keep improving and expanding our DEI practices.
Community Engagement and Partnerships: We work closely with a wide range of communities and organizations to make sure our efforts are in line with what these communities actually need and want. By forming solid partnerships and collaborating with different groups, we strive to create solutions together that are both inclusive and effective.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement: We pledge to consistently assess and enhance our efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). To this end, we will establish measurable objectives and performance indicators for advancing DEI within our team and routinely track our advancement towards these targets.
We make diversity, equity, and inclusion a top priority on the Biisgo project team. By doing so, we aim to create a space where everyone feels noticed, accepted, and ready to use their unique abilities and thoughts to help us make a positive difference in society.
At BDLS, our business model revolves around providing value to our key customers and beneficiaries by offering innovative educational products and services through the Biisgo platform. Here's an overview of our business model:
1. Key Customers and Beneficiaries:
Individual Learners: Individuals looking to expand their expertise and abilities, including working professionals, university students, business owners, teachers, and those affiliated with government or nonprofit institutions.
Educational Institutions: Educational institutions and organizations seeking additional resources to enhance their educational offerings through online learning platforms and professional growth initiatives.
Corporate Clients: Organizations prioritize employee development through customized training programs, empowering their workforce with enhanced skills and optimizing performance.
2. Products and Services:
Online Courses and Workshops: Our online learning platform provides a comprehensive selection of courses and workshops that cater to various needs. From language fluency and leadership enhancement to entrepreneurial ventures, technical proficiency, and interpersonal skills, we have a course for you.
Personalized Coaching and Mentoring: Students can receive individualized guidance and mentorship from qualified educators and professionals in the field, who provide support throughout their educational experience.
Community Forums and Networking: Biisgo is an online platform that connects individuals to form a virtual community. Within this community, members can exchange ideas through discussions, share useful materials, and establish professional connections with others from various industries and cultures.
3. Delivery Mechanisms:
Online Learning Platform: Biisgo operates as a web-based platform that can be used on various devices, including computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
Mobile Applications: Our mobile apps are available on both iOS and Android devices, providing users with the convenience of accessing course materials, joining live classes, and monitoring their progress anytime, anywhere.
Virtual Classrooms: Biisgo empowers virtual learning by offering video conferencing-based classrooms and webinars. These interactive platforms foster collaboration and real-time engagement among participants.
4. Value Proposition:
Convenient and Flexible Learning: Biisgo provides users with the flexibility to access top-notch educational materials at any time, enabling them to set their own learning pace and schedule.
Personalized Learning Experience: We tailor each student's learning journey and suggest appropriate courses and study materials based on both data analysis and direct student input.
Professional Networking Opportunities: Biisgo creates a positive environment for learning where members can interact with experts, mentors, and fellow members. This encourages the sharing of information and working together to achieve goals.
Skill Development and Career Advancement: Biisgo provides a comprehensive range of courses and training that enable learners to develop in-demand skills, climb the career ladder, and achieve their aspirations in both personal and professional spheres.
Our business aims to provide educational programs that cater to the specific needs and goals of our various customers. We strive to create valuable learning experiences that help individuals achieve their aspirations. To sustain our operations, we generate income through various channels, including subscription fees for membership access, course enrollment charges, collaborations with businesses, and other revenue-generating avenues.
- Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)
To ensure financial stability, BDLS aims to expand revenue sources and form alliances that are in line with our goals and principles. Here's our revenue strategy for the Biisgo project:
Service Contracts and Partnerships:We aim to establish agreements with governmental entities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to deliver training and development services through our platform, Biisgo. These agreements will encompass the provision of customized training programs, workshops, and expert guidance to align with the distinct requirements of our clients.
Fee-Based Services: For a fee, individuals and businesses can access premium features and content on the Biisgo platform. These services enhance learning and professional development by offering specialized courses, tailored coaching, and additional materials.
Membership and Subscription Models: We're going to offer paid membership and subscription options that give users access to content that no one else can see, safe spaces to talk with each other, and ways to meet other people. We want to keep our Biisgo members happy and coming back for more by giving them useful things and making them feel like they're part of something special.
Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: We'll team up with businesses that care about education and job training. These partnerships could take many forms, such as programs that use both of our brands, sponsored articles, or training for employees through Biisgo.
Grants and Philanthropic Support: Grants and donations have played a crucial role in the Biisgo project's inception. However, we will actively seek funding from foundations, investors focused on social impact, and international development organizations that align with our mission of improving education and supporting learning.
To assess the effectiveness of our financial sustainability strategy, we will monitor key metrics including revenue growth, customer acquisition and retention rates, profitability margins, and revenue source diversification. Regular financial reviews will be conducted to evaluate the success of revenue generation initiatives and make necessary adjustments to ensure ongoing sustainability and positive impact.