Lebanon-based Synkers, an edtech startup that connects learners to highly qualified private teachers, on Sunday (27 September) announced that the company has closed a $1.8 million Pre-Series A funding round, led by Dr. Lama and Dalia Al Sulaiman, with participation from 500 Startups, Phoenician Funds, ISME Kafalat, Mulcan Investment, Seeders, Crescent Capital, and Dubai Angel Investors also invested in the round.
Synkers is planning to deploy the fresh capital towards deeper expansion in the its existing market i.e. UAE and Lebanon and further expand into new markets, specifically KSA. According to the company, the fresh funds will allow it to invest in product and technology to offer a better and personalised experience.
Founded in 2016 by Zeina Sultani (CMO), Audrey Nakad (CEO), and Sibylle Nakad (Co-founder), Synkers provide personalised and accessible education by matching every learner with the right tutor or mentor and offer a wide variety of courses, from school subjects and university courses to prep tests and professional skills. All tutors are pre-screened, background-checked, trained, and certified. The platform currently has more than 60,000 learners and 1,000 tutors and mentors.
Synkers’ vision is to build the largest community of knowledge exchange. Zeina joined Azadea Group Holding in 2005 and during her 12 years there, was exposed to all of the dynamics relating to the MENA region. Audrey, in 2019, was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 and sold her first startup, a painting business in Montreal, when she was just 18.
The startup aims to work hard to ensure that all tutors and mentors are well trained and equipped to build well-rounded students that are able to reach their highest potential with regard to their hard and soft skills. Following the announcement and in line with their focus of encouraging and helping students to grow,
Audrey Nakad commented,
“No matter how hard the journey of an entrepreneur is, the impact of our work on our student’s performance pays it all off completely.”
An investor in the Pre-Series A round added,
“We invested in the Synkers team and the founders behind the vision, as we strongly believe that they have the potential to disrupt the education industry.”
Synkers back in June 2020 raised an undisclosed amount of seed fund from 500 Startups and Phoenician Funds. A $30K Pre-Seed round for the company came in April 2016 from Speed Accelerator.
