Google recently hosted the Google Impact Challenge where start-ups compete for a cool R3,5 million in grant funding.

Competitors have to make it through a gruelling Q&A session where they defend their start-up by arguing that it 1) created economic opportunity, 2) improved the lives of South Africans, 3) presented unexpected solutions to unmet needs, 4) showed potential to serve as a model for other communities and most importantly 5) whether the project plans were well-thought-out.

That’s a lot for one app or business to do off the bat.

This year, Gradesmatch, a local tech start-up that seeks to solve the problem of poor career guidance across Africa, came out on top, reports Business Insider.

It started tackling this through the Gradesmatch app, where learners can simply enter in the subjects they’re taking and marks received. The app, which now boasts about 84,000 users in SA and Namibia, then automatically matches them with suitable tertiary institutions and qualifications.

Kitted out in school uniforms, co-founders Lebogang Diale and Unathi September (above) highlighted the lack of career guidance counsellors at schools in previously disadvantaged communities as the reason why they should get the cash.

Learners using the app are not only coupled with their ideal university, but they are also linked with young corporate mentors. Once they submit their matric results, they are also alerted to scholarship opportunities.

Diale and Unathi plan on using their prize money to reach further 125 million users by expanding the app to 25 African countries.

Nicely done.

[source:businessinsider]