Startup Battlefield Competition: Session 2 - BeBlocky | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

B Blocky is a mobile-first gamified programming learning app for children in Africa, aiming to address the shortage of developers and equip kids with coding skills from a young age.

Key Insights

• 👶 Less than 1% of African school children leave with basic knowledge of computer science, creating a shortage of developers.
• 🤕 Introducing coding at a young age can help African children become creators and innovators rather than passive consumers of technology.
• 🍄 B Blocky's gamified approach bridges the gap by making programming accessible, easy, and fun for kids in Africa.
• 😀 The app's offline functionality addresses the internet penetration challenges in Africa, ensuring inclusivity.
• 👤 B Blocky's use of augmented reality enhances the learning experience and increases user engagement.
• 😀 The app's revenue model includes in-app purchases of game characters and branded partnerships, offering unique engagement opportunities.
• 👤 B Blocky has experienced positive feedback from users, indicating the potential for success in the edtech market.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How long do users typically engage with the B Blocky app, and what are the in-app purchase trends so far?

Users typically use the app for two weeks to a month initially, but engagement can extend to three to six months as new content is added. The user acquisition cost is currently around 30 cents. In-app purchases are a planned feature, with projected earnings of $200,000 for 500,000 users within three to five years.

Q: How is content created in B Blocky to ensure effective learning outcomes?

B Blocky collaborates with a programming center in Ethiopia to create content based on what children are learning. They also follow a curriculum provided by code.org, which ensures the implementation of coding education for children. Constant feedback from users helps in improving the stickiness of the content.

Q: What age group does B Blocky target, and what is the feedback from children using the app?

B Blocky targets children aged 7 to 13. Feedback from kids shows that they enjoy the gamified aspect of the app, particularly the game scenes and augmented reality features. The positive engagement indicates a successful introduction to coding for children with no prior programming experience.

Q: What is the next step for children who have completed the introductory programming courses in B Blocky?

B Blocky currently offers an introductory course for children new to programming. In the future, they plan to develop advanced programming education within the app. This will provide a natural progression for kids who wish to continue their programming journey.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• B Blocky is a gamified programming learning app designed for children aged 7 to 13, teaching them computer programming through interactive puzzles and games.

• The app offers a range of courses from simple intro to algorithms to more complex problem-solving challenges, with a focus on making programming easy and fun for kids.

• B Blocky uses augmented reality technology to enhance the learning experience, and its offline functionality ensures inclusivity in regions with low internet penetration.