While many would jump at the slightest opportunity to work at a globally renowned multinational tech company like Microsoft, not Chris Kwekowe. The 23-year-old Nigerian entrepreneur won the 2015 Anzisha Prize for his innovative social start-up, Slatecube, but that’s not why he’s currently making news headlines across the country. Instead, a Facebook post from a few months ago is what is bringing Kwekowe a much-deserved attention.

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Apparently, this young man turned down job offers from Microsoft, and probably even Google, to build a thriving business with his now 20-year-old brother, Emerald Kwekowe, in the last quarter of 2014. Until the elder Kwekowe won the 2015 Anzisha Prize which came with a $25,000 reward, both brothers funded their start-up by freelancing as web designers and running a software solutions firm on the side.

Slatecube is more than just a business, though, the platform does not only solve the constraints of e-learning but also provides virtual internship opportunities and employment for its users.

“Developing African talents for today’s job market. Take a skill course. Join our internships. Get employed.” – Slatecube

How it works

Students sign on to the platform by getting a Microbold account. They learn and acquire industry-relevant skills, after which they get experience by virtually interning at reputable ICT firms, putting their learned skills to use. Their overall experience at Slatecube gives them a chance of getting employed by some international high profile companies.

According to reports, the platform has an 80 percent employment rate for its users. And have saved companies over $100,000 in hiring skilled, ready to work employees.

Slatecube also works with schools and organisations to create, host, and implement virtual learning and organisational training programs. As well as provide employable talents. So far, the platform has over 157 industry related topics ranging from corporate finance to anger management, is in partnership with 23 schools and organisation, and has provided over 1500 virtual internship programmes. Slatecube also has quite the amount of traffic with over 3,000 visitors each month.

The 23-year-old spends ample time shuffling the United States and Nigeria negotiating deals with investors and partnering with big tech multinationals like Microsoft, Intel, and Google. Next year, Slatecube plans to launch offices in Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya, in line with  Kwekowe’s vision to expand his start-up across Africa.

Listen to Chris Kwekowe talk about Slatecube below:

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