Talitha Amalia, Co-Founder and COO of Solve Education
In a world where billions of young people still lack access to quality, relevant education, Solve Education is positioning itself as a different kind of edutech startup. Rather than relying solely on digital platforms, the organisation has built a model that combines technology with grassroots community engagement — a hybrid approach that reflects the realities of underserved markets.
Founded to address persistent gaps in global education, Solve Education operates across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, and Nigeria. Its focus is clear: reach learners aged 13 to 25, as well as older individuals seeking to upskill, particularly in communities where traditional systems struggle to deliver.
“We saw that traditional educational solutions can be too slow, costly, and rigid to scale effectively,” said Talitha Amalia, Co-Founder and COO of Solve Education, in an interview with e27.
At the core of Solve Education’s model is a framework known as GAIN — Gamification, AI Coach, Incentive, and Network. This structure reflects the company’s belief that technology alone is not sufficient to solve education inequality.
Gamification forms the first pillar. Learning, according to Talitha, must move beyond lecture-based formats to become interactive and engaging. By incorporating game-like elements, Solve Education aims to sustain attention and encourage participation among young learners.
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The second pillar, AI Coach, reflects the startup’s view that technology should deliver hard skills. This allows human educators to focus on areas that machines cannot replicate, such as character development and social-emotional learning. In many underserved areas, teachers are overstretched, making this division of labour particularly relevant.
Incentives make up the third component. Recognising that younger learners often lack intrinsic motivation, Solve Education introduces extrinsic motivators such as internet vouchers and access to expert-led webinars. The goal is to gradually foster a deeper, self-driven interest in learning.
The final pillar, Network, is where Solve Education distinguishes itself most clearly from conventional edutech players. Rather than treating users as passive participants, the company actively builds learning communities — and at the centre of this effort is its Youth Ambassador Programme.
The programme began organically, driven by early users who were inspired to bring Solve Education’s platform into their own communities. These individuals, often based in rural or underserved areas, acted as informal champions, introducing peers to the platform and organising local activities.
“We didn’t start by opening branches,” Talitha explained. “It was always a grassroots movement first.”
Recognising the potential of this approach, Solve Education formalised the initiative into a structured programme designed to both retain existing ambassadors and recruit new ones. Today, Youth Ambassadors play a critical role in user acquisition, helping the organisation scale through trust-based, community-led outreach rather than traditional marketing channels.
This strategy has proven particularly effective in regions where digital adoption is uneven and social networks remain central to information sharing. In countries such as Nigeria and Malaysia, Solve Education’s presence has grown largely through youth-led initiatives rather than top-down expansion.
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Complementing this is the startup’s “Solve for Change” initiative, which provides small grants to learners with community-driven ideas. These projects range from local entrepreneurship efforts to social impact initiatives, reinforcing the connection between learning and real-world application.
Beyond its ambassador network, Solve Education also works closely with local governments, grassroots organisations, and technology partners. Its platform is designed to function in low-resource environments, requiring minimal storage and bandwidth — a crucial feature for users in areas with limited digital infrastructure.
Accessibility is another priority. The platform includes features for users with disabilities, who were involved in both design and implementation. “They are very creative and have a lot of ideas,” Talitha said, noting that lack of support often limits their opportunities.
Ultimately, Solve Education’s approach reflects a broader shift in edutech thinking. By combining high-tech solutions with high-touch community engagement, the startup is challenging the notion that digital platforms alone can address systemic educational gaps.
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Image Credit: Solve Education
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