From August to December 2024, HaHu AG embarked on an incredible journey as part of the SINGA Accelerator, a prestigious program supporting innovative ventures driven by migrant and refugee entrepreneurs in Switzerland. This experience helped us refine our vision and showcased the potential of our literacy-focused ed-tech solution, HaHu Scripts, on a global stage. SINGA’s mission resonates deeply with our goals: fostering inclusion, innovation, and impact. As a startup committed to addressing learning poverty and illiteracy, we saw this as an opportunity to elevate our efforts and connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for transformative education.
Key Moments
Acceptance into the Program
In August 2024, we celebrated a significant milestone—our acceptance into the SINGA Accelerator. This moment reaffirmed the value of our work in promoting literacy through interactive and gamified learning for Amharic and Tigrigna speakers. As shared in a LinkedIn post, our journey with SINGA started with excitement, gratitude, and a commitment to scale our impact.
Working with Top Deloitte Advisors
We were fortunate to have weekly meetings with Antonio Marco Russo and Taodan Kaptan Abood, who provided invaluable feedback and guidance to help us set clear goals and transition to a B2B focus. Their support was instrumental in refining our approach, enabling us to present a strong business plan to three different schools in Ethiopia. This collaboration has been pivotal in aligning our mission with actionable strategies that create tangible impact.
Pitching at the Demo Day
One of the highlights of the program was participating in the Demo Day. This event allowed us to present HaHu Games to an audience of investors, partners, and innovators. The Demo Day at Deloitte Geneva was a powerful moment, where we showcased how HaHu Scripts empowers native speakers to learn how to read and write while deepening their cultural connections.
We were thrilled to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from the audience, affirming our mission and encouraging us to dream even bigger. To top it off, we were honoured to receive a prize from Dr. Raffi Chammassian and his company, which further validated the impact of our work.
Mic-Drop Moments
The journey wasn’t without its mic-drop moments! At a SINGA event in Zurich, we had the opportunity to inspire through storytelling and demonstrate the transformative potential of HaHu. These moments were a testament to the hard work, dedication, and belief in our vision. Additionally, we connected with amazing individuals who share our views, and we’re actively working to turn these connections into meaningful collaborations.
What We Learned
During the SINGA Accelerator, we gained invaluable insights into:
- Scaling Sustainably: With the help of mentors and peers, we explored strategies to expand HaHu Scripts beyond Amharic and Tigrigna, introducing more languages and cultural contexts.
- Business Development: Transitioning from a direct-to-consumer model to a B2B model became a key focus, particularly in building partnerships with schools and diaspora communities.
- Building Connections: SINGA connected us with an incredible network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors who are equally passionate about making a difference.
Looking Ahead
Our time with the SINGA Accelerator has prepared us to:
- Expand our platform to new languages and regions.
- Build partnerships with schools and organisations.
- Introduce subscription models that enable diaspora communities to support learners in their home countries.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To the incredible team at SINGA Switzerland—Marylou Altounian, Didier, Elena Weber, Oana, Ria, and Elody de Brito—and our mentors Antonio Marco Russo and Taodan Kaptan Abood, thank you for your unwavering support. Your guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in helping us take HaHu AG to new heights. A big thank you to Geoffrey Pegler, the talented photographer who created our first professional profile photograph and is responsible for all the fantastic pictures from the event.
To our community, Thank you for supporting us!
We invite you to learn more about our mission and how you can be part of this transformative journey.
Together, we’re rewriting the story of education, one script at a time!