Edtech startup Rflect closes pre-seed round

Rflect is addressing the skills crisis in higher education caused by two megatrends: the ever-increasing pace of technological development and the fact that society is not on track to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These challenges make it crucial for universities to educate today’s students in more than just technical skills to foster personal development and drive social change. However, existing interventions for student personal development, like coaching, seminars and learning diaries, are expensive and cumbersome, with most universities lacking the know-how to do so successfully.

Co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Niels Rot (Impact Hub Zürich, STRIDE Learning), Ivan Jovanovic, and Ella Stadler-Stuart,  the Zurich-based startup is pioneering a new solution to enable high education institutes to seamlessly integrate personal development into existing university study programs. Co-developed with their partners, the platform acts as a personal development companion, integrated smoothly into students’ curriculum. The web app will provide students with regular prompts for self-reflection and benefit from peer coaching and insight-to-action challenges.

The startup aims to contribute to the 2021-launched Inner Development Goals, a comprehensive international framework for the skills necessary for people not only to thrive in life but also to actively contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over 12 universities have already integrated the solution. The secured funds of more than half a million Swiss francs will allow the team to develop the product with their pilot partners further, grow sales, and conduct evidence studies to prove the effectiveness of Rflect as a systemic intervention for students' personal development. Investors in the round include renowned business angels Hermann Arnold and Monique Bär. The startup is enabled by the Migros Pioneer Fund, part of the social commitment of the Migros Group.