BeyimTech — a startup focused on creating digital products in the field of school education

Nursultan Dyusebaev, city — Astana, founder of BeyimTech, Beyim.ai, Beyim Synaq,  @nursceo

How it all started

We conducted a thorough analysis of 40 international educational platforms, including Moodle, Blackboard, and Canvas. Studying more than 200 parameters, from content to management and technical implementation, we determined that existing platforms did not meet our ambitions. Although these platforms are well-executed, we needed a platform capable of entering the top 10 educational platforms in the world.

After researching the educational landscape in Kazakhstan, we decided to develop our own platform, named Beyim, with the goal of improving education in the country.

How the idea came about

BeyimTech originated as an idea to create a digital ecosystem for school education. In early 2021, the project began as a research initiative and then evolved into a startup.

Unfortunately, education often remains on the sidelines of digital progress. Drawing on 10 years of experience in the EdTech sector and studying similar markets such as FinTech, we concluded that existing platforms do not bring significant change to the quality of education.

Kazakhstan faces a severe shortage of educational resources for its growing number of children. Consequently, there is a need to develop online education to provide all children with access to quality education. We aim to create a platform called Beyim that personalizes education to meet the individual needs of every student and teacher.

We conducted A/B testing by dividing 15 schools into two groups and providing each with different platforms for evaluation and comparison. Over the course of a year, we observed, studied, and adapted aspects of each platform. It is important to consider not only content when developing or using a platform, but also its compliance with educational standards, laws, and curricula. Kazakhstan has numerous educational standards and programs, making the implementation of new platforms a complex process due to differences in rules and educational requirements. Our research revealed numerous issues and nuances that must be considered when choosing a platform for educational purposes.

Beyim is an ecosystem consisting of 10 products, which will be fully implemented by 2035.

Our current products, Beyim Synaq and Beyim AI, together form the Beyim super app, simplifying educational processes for teachers, students, and school administration. By focusing on content and personalization, we were able to create a platform that attracted many users. Our first product, Beyim Canvas, which we launched a year ago, has already shown significant results, attracting users and increasing view counts.

We realized it was time to execute. We acquired and developed several foreign platforms: we bought one, received another for free, and launched the third ourselves, creating content with the help of our specialists. We had already passed the stage of studying and solving all problems, and in the summer, we began developing the main part of the project. We focused on developing front-end, back-end, design, and more. Seeking quick commercial success, we launched the commercial app Beyim Synaq, which includes testing and assessment. The app received about 20,000 downloads, even without a marketer on the team.

The Team

We spent three years building our team. It is divided into two main parts: Research and IT. We first recruited methodologists to determine how our platform should work, and then focused on its development. Most of our team consists of specialists with international education or strong practical experience. We actively studied and implemented best practices from abroad, especially in education, working with experienced teachers. We focused on NIS (National Innovative Schools), where the best teachers work, and tested our products on elite students. This defined our methodology and formed the basis of our technology team.

About a year ago, we began assembling a team to implement our hypotheses and understood who we would sell our product to and how. We started development with a prototype and a CPO, and then ensured our platform's accessibility via mobile devices. Our goal is to enter the top 10 global educational platforms and improve children's education worldwide. We identified a problem with existing platforms, which are primarily oriented toward commerce and solve problems where there is money. We aim to replace this niche by demonstrating that quality education can be accessible to everyone. We spent three years on this, but it was worth it. Now we are in the right place, at the right time, with the right team and a product that has generated interest in the market.

Target Audience

We have received positive user feedback and already hold leading positions in testing in Kazakhstan. We are working on expanding the team and developing the sales direction, based on data and user feedback. Our approach is data-driven and focused on service quality. We also pay special attention to improving our customers' experience.

The Beyim Synaq app positions itself as a Marketplace Test, allowing users to take tests online. Previously, this option was not available, and official tests were conducted only offline. To enter NIS, children had to visit regional centers several times a year on specific dates. There are also review centers where tutoring takes place, but their availability and prices can be problematic. Parents choose these centers based on trust, as they are unofficial. However, the quality of education in such centers can vary and depends on the center's reputation. Some can afford expensive top-tier centers, while others are left with low-quality education. The Beyim Synaq app aims to change this situation by providing the opportunity to take tests online and receive quality education, regardless of location or center reputation.

Incubation Program

We did not participate in any programs. Our main task is to find a partner for joint promotion in foreign markets. If we go through acceleration, we plan to expand abroad, possibly to Dubai or Silicon Valley.

Challenges

We face common problems, like many other startups. We need to find good employees and streamline business processes. But the most difficult part is making money. We work hard to ensure our products generate revenue and cover costs.

Achievements

Our project has brought us significant success, allowing us to refine and improve many internal company processes, such as marketing, operations, sales, and user support. We consider this a major achievement, confirming that we are capable of creating high-quality products and continuously improving.

Recommendations

My first advice is to find a co-founder. This helps when you lack motivation or knowledge in a certain area.

Second advice: start acting right now, without waiting for acceleration or investments. Create an MVP and start moving forward. Even if you only have a couple of hours, you can do something: design, programming, or content creation. Just start!

Third advice: scale your product quickly. Find your target audience, get feedback, and adapt your product to their needs. Then scale the business according to the results obtained.

Fourth: learn to make money immediately, without specific investment rounds. If you need money, start by calling your contacts.

Plans

We plan to attract millions of users across several markets. We have already received about 100 requests from various users from different countries at the BettShow exhibition in London. Launches are scheduled for this year across several markets, including international ones, with plans for further expansion. In May, our products will be presented in South Korea. We are currently conducting tests in NIS.

Our platform now supports four languages, and we continue to increase this number.

My personal goal is to make the product available and free for everyone in Kazakhstan, while earning revenue abroad.