SAYNA, a business revolutionizing access to the job market and democratizing education in new technologies in Africa

Matina Razafimahefa is a pioneering entrepreneur on a mission to bridging the gap in Digital Education in Africa. She co-founded SAYNA in 2017, fulfilling a childhood dream she had shared with her mother, Nirina Rahoeliaribahy. SAYNA is the first Franco-African Edtech & crowdsourcing platform. The platform aims to connect organized IT projects, divided into micro-tasks, with a community of pre-trained developers. The business currently employs 15 people. Facing financial constraints in its early days, Matina launched a crowdfunding campaign in 2018 to accelerate the project and facilitate some acquisitions. Her efforts were recognized when she was awarded the title of "Best Social Entrepreneur" at just 20 years old, in a competition organized by the International Organization of the Francophonie, in partnership with Incubons. Matina's ambition extends beyond the success of her startup. She aims to provide millions of Africans with access to quality digital education and global job opportunities, without letting a CV become a barrier. Her second ambition is to create profitable businesses that can revolutionize the lives of millions and generate employment opportunities.

Lioness Weekender spoke to the inspirational edupreneur, Matina Razafimahefa, about her business building journey, her motivation, and the support of her family to achieve her entrepreneurial vision and mission.

Tell us a little more about your personal growth journey.

In terms of my Early Life, I was born in Côte d'Ivoire to a doctor father and an engineer mother, who also held a degree in polytechnic. I spent my formative years growing up in Madagascar, something which would later significantly influence my professional path. On the personal growth front, at a young age, I showed an extraordinary talent for tennis. I was a Madagascar tennis champion by the time I was 7 or 8 years old. Recognizing my skills, I left Madagascar's capital, Tana, at the age of 10 to study tennis at the Centre Educatif Nantais pour Sportifs in France. There, I continued to excel, becoming the regional tennis champion of the Loire region at age 14. My prowess wasn't confined to the tennis court; I was a young woman with a keen eye for societal structures. At 15, I entered a French public high school and immediately noticed the glaring disparities in the educational system compared to what I had experienced in Madagascar. This observation, along with attending a leadership conference in London, sparked my entrepreneurial spirit. I continued my studies at the Sorbonne in Paris, majoring in Political Science. During this time, I immersed myself in the world of business, startups, and company creation, all the while remaining a self-taught learner. As a young woman entrepreneur, I faced numerous challenges, from striving for development to managing growth. These experiences, which included both failures and victories, have shaped me into the person I am today. Every hurdle and each step of my journey have allowed ne to grow and give my best to the world. I am committed to making quality education and job opportunities accessible to all.

What does your company do?

SAYNA is more than just an educational platform. The company offers training in digital professions through real-world projects. Students have the opportunity to work on specific tasks on behalf of partner companies. This unique model not only provides students with valuable professional experience but also allows them to be compensated for their work. This creates a virtuous circle where education and the professional world are closely linked, breaking down traditional barriers to entry into the tech industry.

What inspired you to start your company?

My inspiration for creating SAYNA comes from a combination of personal experiences and the glaring disparities I observed in the educational systems of Madagascar and France. Growing up in Madagascar, I was aware of the limitations many people face in obtaining a quality education. When I moved to France, the contrast in educational opportunities was a real shock. This, along with my participation in a leadership conference in London, acted as a trigger for my entrepreneurial journey.

The vision for SAYNA was further shaped by my desire to provide millions of Africans, regardless of their situation, with access to quality digital education and job opportunities around the world. I wanted to break down the traditional barriers to entry into the tech industry by closely linking educational training with real-world professional experience. My mother, Nirina Rahoeliaribahy, who has always been a source of inspiration and support, shared this dream with me, making it a project close to my heart.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

What makes SAYNA special is its unique model that seamlessly combines education, professional experience, and remuneration. Unlike many other educational platforms, SAYNA goes beyond simply providing online courses or certificates. We offer students the opportunity to work on real-world IT projects for partner companies. This approach not only gives them valuable professional experience but also allows them to earn while they learn.

Furthermore, SAYNA has tasks designed for every skill level, ensuring inclusivity for all participants. We've planned tasks to suit everyone, taking into account career progression based on skills acquired. This enables students to grow professionally as they advance in their learning journey, making the platform adaptable and relevant to individual needs.

This creates a virtuous cycle where education and the professional world are closely intertwined, breaking down traditional barriers to entry into the tech industry. This is particularly crucial in regions like Africa, where such opportunities may be limited.

Additionally, our strong social vision focuses on equity and equality. We aim to make quality digital education and job opportunities accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or situation. It's this blend of innovation, social impact, and inclusivity that makes SAYNA a truly special product.

Tell us a little about your team

The Team at SAYNA

Nirina Rahoeliaribahy - Chief Product Officer (CPO)
Nirina, who is also Matina's mother, is in charge of the product. With over 30 years of experience in the field of computer science and product management, she has been instrumental in the development of widely-used applications like SNCF Connect. Her role involves leveraging her extensive experience to refine and improve SAYNA's offerings.

Adam HACIANE - Director of Operations
Adam is responsible for the company's internal structuring and processes. His work ensures that the operations run smoothly, allowing the team to focus on their respective areas of expertise.

Tom DILLY - Director of Development for Africa
Based in Senegal, Tom is responsible for equipping our partners—Universities, Companies, Schools, and Institutions—with our incredible ecosystem. His role is crucial for SAYNA's expansion and impact across the African continent.

Lénaïc GROLLEAU - Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Lénaïc oversees Research & Development as well as the production pipeline for our clients. His role is crucial in maintaining the technological edge of SAYNA's platform.

Aurélia RASOANAIVO - Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Aurélia ensures the financial health of the company by overseeing all financial activities. Her work is critical for the company's long-term sustainability and growth.

Loïc DOMINGUEZ - Head of Knowledge
Loïc is the driving force behind the educational core of our system. Known as the "king of tutorials," his role is vital in ensuring that the educational content is of the highest quality and effectively meets the learning objectives of SAYNA's diverse user base.

Empowering our team to become leaders and entrepreneurs - one of the most gratifying aspects of working at SAYNA is seeing how team members grow into entrepreneurs, leaders in industry-specific companies, or service providers within our network. Our culture not only fosters professional development but also empowers individuals to become agents of change in the digital world. It's a testament to the transformative power of SAYNA that our employees don't just build careers; they build legacies.

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

My entrepreneurial adventure began with the realization of disparities in educational opportunities between Madagascar, where I grew up, and France, where I moved for my studies. The glaring differences in the educational systems were both shocking and revealing. A leadership conference in London further catalysed my desire to make a change.

SAYNA was born out of a childhood dream that I shared with my mother, Nirina Rahoeliaribahy, who is also my greatest source of inspiration. We co-founded SAYNA to make quality digital education and global job opportunities accessible to millions of Africans. This dream became a reality in 2017, and since then, we have been working tirelessly to extend our reach and impact.

Contrary to what one might think, I don't have an entrepreneurial background myself, but I come from a lineage of female entrepreneurs in my family. Their boldness and willingness to create value and bring about positive change have been a constant source of inspiration for me. Although my parents, with their careers in medicine and engineering, are not entrepreneurs in the traditional sense, the entrepreneurial spirit has always been present in my family, particularly on the women's side.

This family legacy has greatly influenced me and has helped shape my desire to innovate and bring about significant social impact through SAYNA. Every challenge and triumph on this entrepreneurial journey have only strengthened my resolve and commitment to make a difference in people's lives.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

Future plans and aspirations for SAYNA - in the near future, we are planning to develop a revolutionary platform that will enable users to request, execute, or manage digital projects with just a few clicks. The power of our community will drive task execution, and the platform will feature specific functionalities tailored for each type of project.

Our vision extends beyond just a digital platform; we aim to create a world where work knows no borders, where continuous learning becomes the norm, and where collaboration is unhindered by complex HR or managerial challenges. By bringing together learners, professionals, and organizations in a seamless ecosystem, we aim to redefine the landscape of digital education and employment.

This platform will serve as a catalyst for our broader mission to make quality digital education and job opportunities accessible to millions of people, irrespective of their geographical location or social background. It's not just about equipping people with skills; it's about empowering them to turn those skills into meaningful work and, in turn, a better life.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

One of the most gratifying aspects of my role as an entrepreneur is undoubtedly the positive impact that SAYNA has on people's lives. Not only do we provide access to quality digital education and job opportunities to thousands of Africans, but we have also succeeded in building a strong and engaged community on our school's social network, Discord.

This community, which has over 2,000 active members on our server, allows for the sharing of photos, the creation of online events, and the experience of unforgettable moments. Each interaction, each shared experience, and each success celebrated together contribute to strengthening the sense of community and validate the work we are doing. These are the moments that make overcoming each challenge even more rewarding.

Solving complex problems, innovating, and continuously growing, both personally and as a team, are experiences that bring immense satisfaction. The combination of this social impact, innovation, and personal growth makes the entrepreneurial journey an incredibly enriching adventure for me.

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

Don't let societal norms, self-doubt, or the fear of failure hold you back. As a woman in a field often dominated by men, it's important to remember that your perspective is not only unique but also valuable. You bring something to the table that no one else does, and that's your superpower.

Find Your Support Network: Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your vision. This could be family, friends, or mentors who have been through the entrepreneurial journey themselves. In my case, my mother has been an incredible source of inspiration and support.

Focus on Impact: Always keep the bigger picture in mind. In the case of SAYNA, it's the social impact and the difference we're making in people's lives that keep us going. That vision will help you navigate through the challenges and setbacks you'll inevitably face.

Be Resilient: The entrepreneurial journey is filled with ups and downs. Your resilience will be your greatest asset. Learn from your failures and don't let them define you.

Leverage Community: Use the power of community to your advantage. For us, our Discord community has been invaluable. It's a powerful way to engage, learn, and grow along with your user base.

Invest in Continuous Learning: The tech landscape is ever-changing. Make sure you're always learning, not just about your industry but also about leadership, management, and other essential entrepreneurial skills.

Remember, the entrepreneurial path is not a sprint; it's a marathon. Celebrate the small wins, learn from the losses, and never lose sight of why you started in the first place.

To find out more about the work of Sayna or to speak to founder Matina, send an email to: matina.razafimahefa@sayna.io or visit the company’s website and social media platforms:

Website: http://sayna.space

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hello.sayna

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hellosayna/

YouTube or Vimeo Video: https://www.youtube.com/@joinsayna