Andela is a startup that is based in three different countries — the US, Kenya, and Nigeria. It aims to discover a new pool of software engineering talents from nooks and corners of different African countries.
Andela provides necessary training and pairs them with top technology companies like Microsoft, Facebook, and Google. Recently, Andela managed to secure Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan as its lead investors.
Mark Zuckerberg made headlines when he announced that he’ll be spending his 99 percent of Facebook shares on good causes like curing diseases, education, and connecting the world.
Andela has raised $24 million in a funding round led by Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative and Google Ventures. This investment made by the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative also happens to be the couple’s first collaboration.
Andela CEO and co-founder Jeremy Johnson says that his startup wants to create the next generation of CTOs and founders from Africa.
This education-focused startup is known for its extremely low acceptance rates. Over the course of past 2 years, Andela has trained 200 engineers from more than 40,000 applicants.
Andela is soon planning to expand its operations in other African nations and double the number of trained software developers.
Taking a look at Andela’s mission and Zuckerberg’s initiative, both seem to be a perfect compliment to each other.
“We live in a world where talent is evenly distributed, but the opportunity is not,” Zuckerberg said. “Andela’s mission is to close that gap.”