GlobeDock

GlobeDock Academy is an EdTech company founded in 2022 by Kirubel Akalu, who serves as the CEO. The founder's personal struggles as a slow learner in a traditional, "one-size-fits-all" education system inspired him to create a more accessible and individualized learning solution. Headquartered in Addis Ababa, GlobeDock aims to bridge the educational gap in Ethiopia by providing high-quality, localized, and curriculum-aligned digital content for students in grades 4 through 12.

The company operates a mobile application, GlobeDock Academy, available for iOS and Android, and a prominent YouTube channel called Learning Loop. The platform offers AI-powered, offline-first learning with features like recorded video lessons, interactive quizzes, notes, and reference materials. Content is tailored to the Ethiopian national curriculum and initially delivered in Amharic, with plans to expand to other local languages to improve comprehension. Subjects covered include math, physics, chemistry, biology, and social studies.

GlobeDock operates on a freemium and subscription-based business model. Much of its content is available for free on its YouTube channel, which has over 185,000 subscribers, while the app offers premium features and has attracted over 42,000 users with 3,500 active monthly paying subscribers as of March 2025. A yearly subscription costs approximately $20. The company also pursues B2B services and has established a partnership with Ethiopia's Ministry of Innovation and Technology. A "Teach a Kid" campaign allows the diaspora community to sponsor a child's annual subscription.

The company has demonstrated significant growth and has been recognized in various programs. It was part of the Mastercard Foundation's inaugural EdTech Fellowship in partnership with Reach for Change. GlobeDock also secured a $60K funding deal in an accelerator/incubator round and won 2nd place at the Great Valley Innovation Summit, receiving a $110,000 grant from the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF).

Keywords: EdTech, Ethiopia, e-learning, mobile learning, digital education, curriculum-aligned content, AI-powered learning, offline access, K-12 education, Amharic, Kirubel Akalu, Addis Ababa, Learning Loop, Mastercard Foundation, Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund