South African EdTech Startup Inclusive Solutions Develops Home-Language Learning

South African edtech startup Inclusive Solutions is developing a home-language learning tool for early years and foundation phase education. The company hopes the platform will help address literacy challenges among young learners.

Founded in 2020, Inclusive Solutions operates in the assistive technology and special needs education sector. The company supplies educational resources, assessments, training and support services to schools, healthcare institutions and families.

The startup began when its founder started importing specialised products for her daughter, who has a disability. Lisa and Ed Ellis later acquired the business after returning to South Africa. Before that, they spent several years working in the assistive technology industry overseas.

Localising a Proven Learning Platform

Inclusive Solutions is adapting an existing learning solution that South African special needs schools have used for more than 15 years. By translating and localising the platform, the company aims to make it more relevant to local classrooms. It also hopes to improve access to foundational learning concepts in learners’ home languages.

Although the new version remains under development, Ellis said the underlying platform already has a strong track record in special needs schools across the country.

“The product is in development stage, though its predecessor has been used in South Africa for over 15 years in a wide variety of special needs schools. With the new translation and localisation, we hope to see better relevance and more value delivered to our local schools,” Ellis said.

Support and Growth Plans

The Injini Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship awarded funding to Inclusive Solutions earlier this year to support development of the new platform.

The funding comes as the startup looks beyond its established base in government special needs schools. While the company plans to maintain its focus on the sector, it is also exploring opportunities in mainstream education and early childhood development.

Inclusive Solutions continues to import and distribute assistive technology products and educational resources. The company also provides assessments, training and support services to schools, hospitals and families. Ellis said the business continues to grow as awareness of assistive technologies and specialised learning tools increases across South Africa’s education and healthcare sectors.