-Life as an EdTech Entrepreneur | Investor-
When you deeply consider the world we as people live and operate within, there is probably one word that best captures it all:
CHANGE
Humans have this fascinating knack for evolving and adapting ourselves to best suit our surroundings, conditions and demands put upon us.
Look no further than the rise of tech and what that has meant to so many facets of life and living. IT has all but reorganized the workplace, the systems and customs attached to it all.
Healthcare would be another sector in which we’ve come to re-invent the wheel as far as practice and administration is concerned.
Some might even consider the transformations taking shape across many industries right now related to the climate crisis as the latest example of change.
Impressive right? Yeah, it probably is. However, acknowledging all of this makes my next point all the more confounding.
Why is that much of our mainstream educational practice in schools the world over, still largely follows a set of principles, beliefs and customs that were instilled at the onset of the 19th century.
Arguably such philosophies and practices do NOT align with present day student or societal needs.
Well on today’s show, I have an EdTech entrepreneur who is equally concerned by our lack of educational progress, but granted he has actually been doing something about it. We’ll hear more about his work and even his take on solutions to this critically important problem.
Introducing
John Tan is the Singapore based CEO and founder of Doyobi, an impact-driven, Metaverse based EdTech company that focuses on skill-building for children aged 8-13 through collaborative problem solving.
The aim of his company is to inspire children to become curious, self-directed learners, original thinkers, and to lead a life with a sense of purpose.
Professional Background
Aside from being an EdTech entrepreneur John Tan is involved with so much more outside of his latest venture. He is also quite active with many other activities including and not limited to the following:
- CEO | Co-Founder | “Code in the Community”
Code In The Community is the largest free coding programme in Singapore. Code In The Community is supported by Google and the Singapore government.
- Board of Director | Ninja Van
A logistics company with nearly 60,000 employees which leverages cutting edge technology-enabled delivery systems to serve markets in Southeast Asia (SEA). Ninja Van went through Series E funding raising $578 million USD.
- Board Member | ErudiFi
A company with a mission to help Southeast Asian students stay in school by giving them affordable financing options. Headquartered in Singapore, with operations in Indonesia and the Philippines, the startup has raised $5 million USD in Series A funding., co-led by ErudiFi currently works with more than 50 universities and vocational schools in Indonesia and the Philippines.
John is also an active investor. So much so, he has invested in over 80 companies via his activity and involvement as a:
- Partner | 8Capita
An early and growth stage angel funding company which makes investments in profitable companies
- Partner | BWB Ventures
An Early stage VC fund with a focus on Y Combinator backed startups.
Obama Leader
Furthermore, John is also an Obama Leader for Asia Pacific. This is a program under The Obama Foundation Leaders Program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders from across the APAC region.
Finally, and perhaps most meaningful to John is that he a family man through and through in being a father of five.
Reasons to Listen
This talk provides much in the way of insight and commentary on the future of education from a true EdTech entrepreneur. John clearly shares what it could and should look like moving forward. Further, topics of conversation also include:
- The importance of instilling a maker and builder mindset within children
- In what ways contemporary education fails children and society as a whole
- What his Metaverse based platform Doyobi offers to children that mainstream education currently does not
- The opportunities and challenges he faces in operating such a progressive EdTech company like Doyobi
- What types of kids will grow up to be successful in the future
- Traps parents fall into when choosing educational pathways for their children
- What personally pulled john into the world of EdTech
- Meaningful discussion about children and youth finding purpose through education
- What gives John hope for educational reform moving forward
- John shares a personal story and recollection from his youth that still resonates with him as it pertains to youth finding themselves and carving out a future filled with passion and purpose
- The chatter and activity within EdTech around South East Asia
- The types of EdTech companies he would like to see more of moving forward from both a personal and investment perspective
- Much more!
This talk is meaningful on many levels and those with an interest in education will surely derive much value from the discussion.
A Memorable Quote from the Episode:
“Being an entrepreneur is about building with a purpose and being very clear about who you are building for and why you’re building it. That is something we’re helping kids learn through Doyobi.”
-John Tan
Check out the Video Conversation:
For those who desire to view the full video conversation of this discussion, you can do so via Youtube.
Words of Wisdom:
Hear from a true EdTech Entrepreneur in John, as he provides advice to those looking to enter this sphere.
Discover More
For those interested in learning more about John and his work you can check out several ways including his company Doyobi. Further, you can find him on the following social platforms:
Keep Listening!
I hope you enjoyed the episode. For more, check out additional episodes here!
