Written in Partnership with Amir Bakian
Preschool education is one of the most critical building blocks in child development. Yet, access to quality learning experiences often depends on socioeconomic privilege and geographic good fortune. Responding to this challenge, CatnClever, a pioneering startup based in Switzerland, is on a mission to transform early childhood education and foster a lifelong love of learning. By combining innovation, personalized learning, and a commitment to social impact, CatnClever is making a significant difference in the lives of children around the world.
At the heart of CatnClever’s approach lies their groundbreaking learning app for preschoolers. Powered by cutting-edge technology and designed by experts in pedagogy, gamified learning, and audiovisual design, the app offers an immersive and interactive learning experience for children aged 4-6. Through captivating stories and stimulating exercises, children embark on a journey of discovery in which academic and non-academic skills are seamlessly woven together.
Recognizing that every child is unique, CatnClever emphasizes personalized learning in key subjects such as math and reading. The app’s intelligent algorithms adapt to each child’s individual needs and learning pace, creating a unique learning journey. CatnClever immerses children in narrative and addresses emotional intelligence alongside more traditional skills training. Lessons in social-emotional intelligence, empathy, and respectful interaction are just as much woven into the app’s curriculum as those in spatial awareness, mathematics, and spelling. By integrating these areas of competence and fostering a love for learning, CatnClever nurtures young minds, equipping them with important life skills and empowering them to reach their full potential.
While CatnClever’s commitment to innovation and personalized learning already sets it apart from its competitors, the organization’s sustained dedication to providing equal educational opportunities is truly remarkable. CatnClever’s founders, Dr. Olga Ruf Fiedler, and Sebastian Hähnel, have prioritized the app’s social impact, making it available to families displaced by war, persecution, or natural disasters. Currently, over 15% of CatnClever’s user base comprises refugee children from various countries, including Ukraine, Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. By offering free access to these children, CatnClever helps their families provide quality education and emotional stability during a time of grave need.
The positive impact of CatnClever’s educational platform in these communities is evident through positive user feedback and strong retention rates. More and more children–within various refugee communities and beyond–are discovering the app’s effectiveness in closing the educational gap and fostering academic growth.
How is all this funded? CatnClever secures resources through strategic partnerships, grants, and investments in order to sustain its operations and expand its reach. Regular users contribute their share by paying a small monthly access fee. This enables continuous expansion of app content as well as ongoing improvements to user experience. Ultimately, the app seeks to be a highly cost-effective, inclusive means to accessible, transformative preschool education independent of social privilege.
CatnClever’s contribution to the future of preschool education is gaining recognition beyond its community of users. In April of this year, the company was awarded the Dr. Jelle Zijlstra Award for Global Impact, specifically recognizing CatnClever’s contribution to social justice. The award was soon followed by the silver prize in the ‘Retail & Consumer Services’ section of >>venture>>, Switzerland’s leading startup competition.
Through its mixture of innovation, creativity, and a commitment to social impact, CatnClever is leading the way in creating a more inclusive and empowered generation and is inspiring a collective movement aimed at building a world where every child has equal educational opportunities.
To learn more, visit www.catnclever.com.
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