Hi 👋

The latest podcast episode has just landed and I had the pleasure of meeting Ikum Kandola, founder of AI tech start-up Teachify, the UK's leading generative AI EdTech company.

Teachify are revolutionising the UK’s education sector by tailoring teaching resources to the latest UK exam specifications. Ikum and his passionate team are dedicated to addressing the problem in the UK education sector, where teachers are spending much of their free time planning lessons.

So what did I learn from the episode? I’ve broken down the key themes in this post. You can find the episode on Spotify, Apple, Audible and for the first time, a video podcast on YouTube!

The Headlines

1. Journey to Tech: Ikum's passion for tech began with video games and evolved through experiences in cybersecurity and coding, leading to a fully funded computer science course at the University of Birmingham.

2. Inspiration from Teaching: Working in a school, Ikum saw how tech could revolutionise lesson planning and teaching efficiency.

3. Launch of Teachify: Based on his first-hand experience, the app was born from Ikum's desire to simplify lesson planning for teachers, making it faster and more efficient.

4. Finding Market Fit: The younger generation of teachers, more open to AI and tech, became the primary users of Teachify, discovered through social media strategies.

5. Iterative Development: Teachify's development was guided by constant feedback from workshops, social media insights, and collaboration with the University of Birmingham's incubator scheme.

Evolving Teachify: From Concept to Classroom

Key Points and Findings:

• Identifying the Market: Ikum initially aimed to help all teachers but found success by focusing on newly qualified, tech-savvy teachers more open to AI.

• Social Media Strategy: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram helped Teachify connect with their target audience, particularly the younger generation.

• Adapting Through Feedback: Continuous feedback from teachers and users refined the app, making it more user-friendly and tailored to real classroom needs.

• Award-Winning Success: Teachify has gained recognition, winning several awards, including a UK start-up of the year award.

• Building a Collaborative Ecosystem: By networking with other founders and leveraging incubator schemes, Ikum and his team strengthened their business acumen and tech development.

Ikum's journey so far highlights the importance of iteration, user feedback, and targeted marketing in developing a successful solution.

Project Delivery Team Leadership

1. Listening to Users and Drawing on Experience

• User Research: Engaging with teachers and drawing on personal teaching experience was crucial in understanding the needs for the app.

• Feedback Loop: Constantly collecting feedback to guide development ensures the product meets real user needs.

2. Embracing Agile Methodology

• Iterative Development: Adopting an agile approach allowed the team to work in cycles, learn from initial failures, and improve continuously.

• Learning from Mistakes: The first version of the app was scrapped, however they used the lessons from the failed attempt to develop much improved version with superior design and more up-to-date technology.

3. Importance of Collaboration and Expertise

• Seeking Help: Initially, trying to do everything solo was inefficient. Bringing in a web development expert helped avoid pitfalls and accelerate progress.

• Modern Tech Stacks: Utilising Next.js, which is used by major sites like OpenAI and Twitch, improved the app’s performance and scalability.

4. Focused Feature Development

• Prioritising Features: Initially, the aim was to add many features, but they learned to prioritise and refine features based on user feedback.

• User-Centric Design: Tailoring the app more to teachers' needs, rather than just adding features, led to a more effective and streamlined product.

5. Leveraging a Small Team Efficiently

• Time Management: Being strict with time, avoiding unnecessary meetings, and focusing on essential tasks were key to productivity.

• Ownership and Motivation: Having ownership of tasks is highly motivating. In large enterprises, creating a sense of ownership can drive better performance.

6. Innovating with Limited Resources

• Out-of-the-Box Thinking: Finding creative ways to save time, such as offering internships, allowed for team expansion and accelerated development.

• Mutually Beneficial Opportunities: Offering unpaid internships to tech enthusiasts provided them with valuable experience and helped Teachify develop their app faster.

7. Personal and Professional Growth

• Dual-purpose Learning: Engaging in activities that benefit both personal skill growth and the company’s needs ensured efficient use of time.

• Continuous Improvement: Always looking for ways to do more with the same amount of time by improving processes and learning new skills.

^{Start-Up Leadership}

Mastering the Art of Pitching and Presenting

• Preparation is Key: Ikum shares his journey of learning to pitch effectively, emphasising the importance of thorough preparation and practice, whilst studying tried and tested examples, readily available from silicon valley startups.

• Continuous Improvement: Despite initial nervousness, Ikum's experience taught him the value of learning from failures and continuously refining his pitch delivery.

Leadership Lessons

• Adaptability: Ikum reflects on his leadership journey, emphasising the need to adapt leadership styles to different team members and situations.

• Leading by Example: As a leader, Ikum stresses the importance of demonstrating commitment and competence to earn the trust and respect of team members.

Time Management

• Time Boxing: Ikum shares his time management strategy, including prioritising tasks, estimating time requirements, and utilising focused work intervals.

• Quality Breaks: Rather than mindlessly scrolling through social media, Ikum suggests taking refreshing breaks, such as walks or engaging in activities that rejuvenate the mind.

The Future of Teaching and Educational Technology

• AI Integration: Ikum discusses the potential of AI in transforming teaching methods, highlighting advancements in resource generation and curriculum personalisation.

• Partnerships with Educational Institutions: Teachify’s future plans include collaborating with universities to enhance teacher training and integrate AI into education programs.