Embracing the cockroach mentality: Insights from the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Conference

I recently attended the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Conference in Abuja, Nigeria. This event brought together hundreds of EdTech founders and innovators from across Africa to discuss the future of education technology on the continent. 

One of the panel discussions, led by Krista Davidson, Executive Director of Injini, was particularly impactful. The discussion titled "Closing the divide: Sustainable business practices in EdTech" delved into how EdTech companies can build sustainable business models. A memorable takeaway from this session was a comment from one of the panellists, Keelan Whiting of Reflective Learning: “You don’t want to be a unicorn in this space. You want to be a cockroach.”

Wait, what?

I gave it some thought. 

I realised that this might seem counterintuitive—and let’s be honest, the picture it conjures up is not pretty. In the tech world, being a "unicorn" – a startup valued at over $1 billion—is often seen as the ultimate goal, and unicorns are more attractive when visualised. However, Whiting’s point was thought-provoking: cockroaches can stick around, survive the worst conditions, and still thrive. EdTech is about surviving and thriving, even when the conditions are tough.

Why EdTech businesses should embrace the cockroach mentality

Resilience: As cockroaches can withstand extreme environments, resilient EdTech businesses can weather market fluctuations, economic downturns, and other challenges. This resilience allows them to adapt and continue operating effectively.

Cost-effectiveness: Cockroaches are known for surviving on minimal resources. Similarly, EdTech companies that manage their resources efficiently can maintain operations and grow sustainably without requiring massive capital inflows.

Adaptability: Cockroaches thrive in various environments, highlighting the importance of flexibility. EdTech companies that can adapt their products and services to different educational needs and contexts will be better positioned to serve diverse markets.

Longevity: The ability to endure over time is crucial. Cockroach-like EdTech businesses focus on long-term goals, ensuring their solutions remain relevant and valuable despite changes in technology and educational trends.

Innovation under constraints: Cockroaches find ways to survive in harsh conditions. EdTech companies that innovate despite limited resources or challenging market conditions can create unique and impactful solutions.

Scalability: EdTech companies can scale sustainably by starting small and growing steadily, like cockroaches expanding their presence. This approach helps manage growth without overextending resources.

Focus on core strengths: Cockroaches focus on what they do best to survive. Similarly, EdTech companies that concentrate on their core competencies and continuously improve them are more likely to succeed.

Customer-centric approach: Cockroaches survive by being highly attuned to their environment. EdTech businesses that stay closely connected to their customers' needs and feedback can continuously refine their offerings and remain indispensable.

As we try to build sustainable EdTech businesses, let's remember that enduring success often comes not from being the biggest or the flashiest but from being the most resilient and adaptable. In the ever-evolving landscape of EdTech, being a cockroach might just be the key to thriving in the long run. Of course, if you want to be (and can become) a unicorn, two things can be true - you can be a unicorn that lives like a cockroach. 

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