Interviewer (Founder Magazine): Manish, thank you for joining us. To start, could you share your background and what led you to found Craydel?
Manish Sardana: Thank you for having me. Originally from India, I moved to Kenya in 2013 to work with WPP Scangroup, Africa’s largest marketing services group. Over the years, I became deeply involved in startups, particularly in the education sector. In early 2021, I left WPP to build something of my own. I noticed a significant gap in how students access higher education in Africa—fragmented information, biased guidance, and a lack of transparency. This inspired me to co-found Craydel with John Nguru and Shayne Aman Premji. Our mission is to democratize access to quality higher education across Africa.
About Craydel
Q1: What is Craydel, and what problem does it aim to solve?
A: Craydel is an online platform that helps students and working professionals discover, compare, and apply to higher education institutions both within Africa and abroad. Every year, 16 million students in Africa apply for higher education, spending approximately $30 billion. Yet, the process is often opaque and influenced by biases. We aim to provide a transparent, user-friendly platform that offers personalized recommendations, helping individuals make informed decisions about their educational and career paths.
Q2: How does Craydel differentiate itself from traditional education agents?
A: Unlike traditional agents who often push specific institutions for financial gain, Craydel offers a data-driven approach. Our platform allows users to filter options based on their preferences, budgets, and career goals. We provide unbiased, personalized recommendations, ensuring that students choose the best-fit programs for their aspirations.
Growth and Expansion
Q3: Craydel has expanded into several African countries. Can you tell us about this journey?
A: Since our inception, we’ve expanded into Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. Most recently, we’ve entered Burundi and Tanzania. Our growth is driven by the increasing demand for accessible and reliable higher education pathways. We’ve partnered with over 90 universities and vocational colleges, offering more than 3,000 programs. Our model is locally rooted, which helps build trust and scale faster across diverse education markets.
Q4: What challenges have you faced during this expansion?
A: One of the main challenges is the fragmented education landscape across Africa. Each country has its own set of regulations, cultural nuances, and market dynamics. Navigating these differences requires adaptability and a deep understanding of local contexts. Additionally, establishing partnerships with institutions and gaining the trust of students takes time and consistent effort.
Future Vision
Q5: What does the future hold for Craydel?
A: Our vision is to become the leading platform for higher education in Africa. We aim to expand into more countries, continually enhance our platform’s capabilities, and forge partnerships with more institutions worldwide. Ultimately, we want to empower millions of Africans to make informed decisions about their education and career paths, contributing to the continent’s development.
Q6: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa?
A: Focus on solving real problems. Understand the challenges people face and create solutions that address them effectively. Building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient, stay committed, and always prioritize the needs of your users.
Founder Magazine: Thank you, Manish, for sharing your insights. Craydel’s journey is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing its continued impact on Africa’s education landscape.
