Startup Story

In today’s changing world, access to learning using the power of digital is becoming an everyday reality for many people, especially children. In Angola, entrepreneur Lisa Videira, founder of LV Digital, Lda, is providing innovative digital solutions to help make e-learning accessible to everyone.

LoA chatted to Lisa recently to learn more about this impact driven digital business.

What does your company do?

We are a company, launched in 2017, that provides digital solutions for learning online. We have our own video and audio studios to help convert local learning content into digital. Also, we have an e-learning market place, a digital platform called "Academia Nzoji" that allows any instructor to upload their own content and sell it to the world. We also provide personalized e-learning platforms to private companies that want to have their own digital environment and content for learning.

“We are a company that provides digital solutions for learning online.”

“I decided to create a e-learning platform where other instructors like me could share everything educational they are willing to teach in a way that could reach millions of Africans and also be paid for it.”

What inspired you to start your company?

In 2009, I launched the 1st kitesurfing school in Angola. For 4 years I shared my passion for kitesurfing by teaching a ‘free of charge’ program to young teenagers and charged for classes to adults. I was a full time instructor and athlete, representing Angola internationally in competitions in South Africa, Portugal and England. This passion for sharing my knowledge and experiences made me discover the passion for teaching. Therefore, I decided to create a e-learning platform where other instructors like me could share everything educational they are willing to teach in a way that could reach millions of Africans and also be paid for it. Here in Angola, e-learning is still a new methodology for learning.

What makes your business, service or product special?

I believe that what makes the product "Academia Nzoji" special is the meaning of it - the word "Nzoji" means dreams in our local dialect of Kimbundu. In Swahili, "Nzoji" is written "Njozi" and has the same meaning, which is "DREAMS"! We are an educational platform that has the mission of revolutionizing the education in the Portuguese speaking countries, and also providing people with easy access to quality education in order for them to live to their full potential. Unfortunately, access to quality education and opportunities are not well distributed in the world, but talent is! Africa is a precious diamond waiting to be polished and shine brighter. We want to be part of the solution for education within Africa.

Tell us a little about your team

My team members are 6 Angolans working full-time and 2 foreigners working part-time. We have different backgrounds but share one simple dream. To leave a legacy of easy access to world quality education for our children. We believe that luck is when opportunity meets preparation and in order for anyone to be successful they need to continuously invest in their education.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

I decided to become an entrepreneur when I got pregnant with twins, I now have two 2 year old girls. They made me change my perspective of life and gave me the final push to start my own thing and never look back. Instead of just dropping my current job, as a project assistant, I´ve gradually shifted my resources, attention and dedication to my project. I´ve made some savings, planned financially to cope with this new chapter of my life, and slowly moved step by step. I had to stop doing some of my most passionate hobbies like kitesurfing, surfing, skating, gym, yoga classes and reduced these activities only when possible. I have entered a number of incubation programs for startups in order to learn how to create a Lean business plan and prepared as much as possible for this to happen. It hasn’t been an easy journey because online education is not at the top of the list of the government, training entities and even universities in Angola. But, we want to start a revolution, even if it costs a lot of time, we will never give up.

“We are an educational platform that has the mission of revolutionizing education in the Portuguese speaking countries.”

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

We plan to establish partnerships with Universities, online training platforms or instructors around the world, especially the most qualified in the world, helping them translate their content into Portuguese. This way, we can provide to all Portuguese speaking countries the option to do a PHD, Master or Bachelor Degree in any subject.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

The ability to manage my own time and feel the reward as proportional to my work. By owning my time I can balance my life in terms of work, family, passions, friends, and have some time to take care of myself.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Plan, action, plan, action and plan-action. But be flexible to adapt your plans to the reality and obstacles you will encounter on the way. Besides this, keep walking, it won’t be easy but it will definitely be worth it. Even if you move two steps back, because you are pushing against all odds, keep moving one step at a time. Don´t rush so that you won’t burn out. Whenever you feel you are sinking, ask for help, advice, tips - scream and cry if necessary - but keep in mind that the storm will pass and you will be allowed to keep moving.

Contact or follow LV Digital, Lda

Why LoA loves it….

There are some stories we read at Lionesses of Africa where the passion and commitment of the founder to the work they do literally leaps off the page. Lisa Videira’s story is one of those. Her drive to make a difference in the world of learning, making it accessible to as many people as possible by harnessing the power of digital platforms and technology, is inspirational. As a result of her efforts, a new generation of Angolans will be able to access world class learning materials and programmes in Portuguese, allowing them to fulfill their potential. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa