Globetrotting brothers raise CHF 2.1 million for Goodwall

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14.01.2016

Goodwall, the online community for high school students to showcase their academic and extracurricular achievements, today announced a CHF 2.1 million angel round from a group of private investors. Goodwall’s mission is to eliminate luck and privilege from the equation and provide every student with the opportunity to succeed in college and life.

Goodwall was founded by the two brothers Omar Bawa, 23 (right) and Taha Bawa, 25 (left) who grew up travelling the world. Due to this global upbringing, they launched Goodwall with an international outlook from day one. With offices in Geneva and Boston, Goodwall’s student base already represents over 150 countries and 6000 high schools. The Goodwall community has grown to more than half a million students and is now connected to more than 3000 universities and colleges around the world. “We are proud of the growth we’ve seen this year, especially around key metrics like student signups, partnerships with colleges and student/college connections,” said Taha Bawa, Goodwall’s co-founder and CEO. “This funding will allow us to extend our reach and offerings.”

Goodwall’s angel round came from a group of private backers led by Francis Clivaz, a global leader in international education and a co-founder of the European Council of International Schools (ECIS). 

Goodwall also connected with several investors via BAS and investiere.ch, the leading European online startup platform for private investors. investiere’s business angels contributed a total of CHF 770’000. “investiere was key to the success of this financing round,” Taha states. “Their team played an important role in establishing the investment terms and in ensuring a hassle-free financing round. What’s more, investiere helped us get valuable smart money investors on board.”

Three other notable business angels participated in this round and are also joining Goodwall’s advisory board, namely Ulrich Essmann and Tim Schumacher, co-founders of Sedo.com, the global domain marketplace as well as Martin Steinmann, Boston-entrepreneur, angel and startup advisor. In addition, a representative of Fongit, the Geneva-based startup accelerator, will also join Goodwall’s advisory board.

Goodwall Milestones
The Goodwall community has grown to more than half a million students and has achieved several major milestones in 2015:

  • Goodwall’s student base represents over 150 countries and 10000 schools, although the vast majority come from the North America.
  • Goodwall is now connected to more than 3000 universities and colleges around the world.
  • Goodwall has made more than 5 million matches, connecting colleges with potential students.
  • The number of full-time Goodwall employees has grown and the company expanded to the United States, opening a Boston office.

Student of the Month Scholarships Focus on Extracurricular Achievements
Every month, Goodwall recognizes a student for their extracurricular activities and awards that student a scholarship. Goodwall’s U.S. Director Drew Gallagher recently presented a Goodwall Student of the Month award to Yasmeen Roumie, a senior at Stuyvesant High School in New York City. Roumie received a $1,000 scholarship toward the college of her choice. Roumie’s accomplishments include: interning with NASA, winning a robotics competition in China, interning at Harvard Medical School’s Genetics Lab and founding an organization that delivers leftover flowers from events to hospitals and nursing homes.

(Press release)

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