TechQuest STEM Academy

What TechQuest STEM Academy does

TechQuest STEM Academy is a Nigerian not-for-profit organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in Lekki Phase II, Lagos, that delivers STEM, ICT, and digital skills education to children, educators, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and corporate and government clients. Its core products include paid technical training courses (Frontend Web Development, Backend Web Development, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Mobile App Development, Digital Marketing, UI/UX), the Mission-T mobile teaching app (Nigeria's first indigenous STEM and ICT content app for secondary school teachers, available on iOS and Android), and certified training pathways through VMware IT Academy and Huawei ICT Academy, with academic affiliation to Northumbria University. Supporting infrastructure includes a 3,000+ sqm Lekki hub comprising The TechQuest Academy and The Mansion co-working/production facility, the TechQuest Advanced Research Centre focused on AI, robotics, data science, and deep-tech research, and a Researchers in Residence program.

The business model blends multiple revenue streams: course fees (ranging from NGN 50,000 for short introductory programs to NGN 735,000 for Cybersecurity, with installment options), fee-for-service corporate and government training partnerships (with MTN, IHS Towers, Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, Remita/Systemspecs, Cummins, Vodacom, LASRIC, and Lagos State Government), grants and donations (AfriLabs, GlobalGiving, Google.org for the 3MTT DeepTech Ready Program, Digital Africa), co-working and event-space rental at the Lekki hub, and certification and examination fees from VMware, Huawei, and Northumbria University affiliations. Go-to-market is hybrid and community-driven: instructor-led training at the Lagos hub, online and virtual delivery reaching all 36 Nigerian states, mobile app distribution, and partnership-based channels through schools, corporates, and government agencies across 19 states with physical presence.

Reported scale includes 90,253+ indirect impact beneficiaries, 44,279+ people directly impacted through 2,980+ workshops, 2,500+ trained educators and STEM ambassadors, 1,071 educators trained over five years, 245 schools impacted, 800+ entrepreneurs reached, 84+ partner organizations, and 92 international mentors. The organization is led by Director Dr. Itoro Emembolu (also identified as Charles Uche Emembolu in co-founder capacity), with researchers including Dr. Olubanjo Adetunji in residence. Recent strategic moves include the 2023 Lagos campus launch, the 2024 Gener8tor Pre-Investment Accelerator Fellowship, the 2025 3MTT DeepTech Ready Program partnership with Data Science Nigeria and Google.org, and the Bridge2Work Nigeria–Germany placement partnership with Terratalent. Recognition includes the 2020 AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme Award (as one of 17 winners sharing over €250,000 in grants) and HolonIQ's Top 50 EdTech in Africa ranking.

Name

TechQuest STEM Academy

Legal name

TechQuest STEM Academy LTD/GTE

Website

https://tqstem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TechQuest STEM Academy is a Nigerian non-profit that delivers STEM, ICT, and digital skills training to children, educators, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and corporate and government clients via courses, the Mission-T mobile app, certified VMware and Huawei pathways, and a 3,000+ sqm Lagos hub.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education and Workforce Training

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Computer Training (611420), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG), STEM Lab Management & Classroom Device Integration Platforms (EDAFANAL), STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC)

Keywords

• STEM education training
• Digital literacy programs
• Technology certification courses
• Youth coding training
• Teacher professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Revenue from paid technical training courses including Frontend Web Development (490k NGN), Cybersecurity (735k NGN), Digital Marketing (140k NGN), and others. Courses offered on-site/hybrid/online with installment payment options available.
2. Corporate and Government Training Partnerships: Fee-for-service training programs delivered for corporate partners (MTN, IHS Towers, Cummins, Fidelity Bank, Access Bank, Remita/Systemspecs) and government agencies (LASRIC, Lagos State Government) to upskill employees or target populations.
3. Grants and Donations: Funding from development organizations and foundations including AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme, GlobalGiving platform projects (DAMPY, DASP), Google.org for 3MTT DeepTech Ready Program, and government innovation grants.
4. Co-Working Space Rental: Revenue from renting meeting rooms, training facilities, co-working spaces, and event halls at their Lekki hub facilities.
5. Certification and Affiliation Fees: Revenue through affiliated certifications including VMware, Huawei ICT Academy, and Northumbria University certification programs with testing and examination fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TechQuest STEM Academy is a not-for-profit organization that delivers STEM and digital-skills education through instructor-led technology courses, a mobile teaching app (Mission-T), a co-working/training hub in Lagos, and certified partner academies (VMware, Huawei). It runs corporate and government upskilling programs, scholarship-backed cohorts, summer camps, research activities, and international workforce-placement tracks (Bridge2Work) for African learners, educators, and entrepreneurs.

Product overview

TechQuest STEM Academy is a not-for-profit STEM education organization offering a portfolio of interconnected products and programs. The core offerings include: the Mission T mobile teaching app (Nigeria's first indigenous STEM/ICT content app for teachers); technology training courses (Frontend/Backend Web Development, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Mobile App Development, Digital Marketing, UI/UX); certified partnerships (VMware IT Academy, Huawei ICT Academy); and the TechQuest Hub co-working facility (3000+ sqm across two Lagos locations). Supporting programs include the TechQuest Advanced Research Centre, Researchers in Residence program, Bridge2Work (Germany job placement), 3MTT DeepTech Ready Program, Summer Camps for youth, Global Giving social impact projects (DAMPY, DASP), and LASRIC scholarship programs. The organization operates from a physical campus in Lekki Phase II, Lagos.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mission-T App: Nigeria's first teaching app providing indigenous STEM and ICT content to secondary school teachers.

Products and services

• Mission T Mobile App Mobile teaching application providing indigenous STEM and ICT video content for secondary school teachers, available on iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
• TechQuest Tech Courses Instructor-led technology training programs including Frontend Web Development (8 weeks, 490,000 NGN), Backend Web Development, Cybersecurity (735,000 NGN), Data Analytics, Mobile App Development, Digital Marketing (4 weeks, 140,000 NGN), UI/UX Design, and Collaborative Tools. Delivered on-site, hybrid, or online with certification affiliated with UK's Northumbria University.
• TechQuest Hub Co-Working and Training Facility Over 3000 sqm of physical co-working, training, and event spaces across two locations in Lekki, Lagos, including 32 bed-spaces, training rooms, labs, studios, and dining facilities, rented to individuals and organizations.
• VMware IT Academy Certification Program Official VMware IT Academy offering certified training and exam pathways in networking, ICT infrastructure, cloud services, and virtualization (VCA, VCP, VCAD certifications).
• Huawei ICT Academy Certification Program Huawei ICT Academy partnership offering certification in ICT infrastructure and cloud platforms at HCIA, HCIP, and HCIE levels, covering Storage, Datacom, Security, 5G, IoT, Cloud, and more.
• TechQuest Advanced Research Centre Research hub dedicated to deep-tech, artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, and STEM education, bridging academia and industry through collaborative R&D projects.
• Bridge2Work International Placement Program Four-week intensive training in partnership with Terratalent (Germany), including virtual sessions, project-based learning, cloud service access, soft skills, and placement preparation for jobs with European and German companies.
• 3MTT DeepTech Ready Program Free AI training program covering Data Analysis & Visualization, Machine Learning, NLP, Computer Vision, and Geospatial Data Science through physical instructor-led sessions in Lekki, Lagos.
• TechQuest Summer Camp Annual intensive multi-week IT training program for primary and secondary school children aged 6-16 covering Web Development, Robotics, Digital Electronics, Online Safety, 3D printing, and drone technology, sponsored by corporate partners.
• AI and Security Virtual Training 8-week weekend virtual training program in Artificial Intelligence and Security offered with a 100% Huawei scholarship, open to participants with personal laptops.
• LASRIC STEM Skill-Up Scholarship Program LASRIC-powered scholarship program delivering Backend Web Development training in JavaScript, Node.js, GitHub, database development, API development, and hosting, with mentorship, networking, and job placement support.
• Global Giving Projects (DAMPY and DASP) Donor-funded projects on the GlobalGiving platform: DAMPY (Digital Marketing for 400 Nigerian Youths) and DASP (Digital Skills and Online Safety for Nigerian Children), addressing digital literacy and online safety for underserved youth.
• TechQuest-Gener8tor Pre-Investment Accelerator Fellowship Accelerator fellowship in partnership with Gener8tor providing African startups with strategic guidance, revenue enhancement approaches, product-market fit insights, and go-to-market strategies.
• Researchers in Residence (RiR) Program Program embedding leading researchers, scholars, and industry experts within TechQuest Academy to collaborate on technology education, product development, and emerging industry trends.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 44,000 people impacted through programs across Nigeria
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Data Science NigeriamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Official Implementing Partner of 3MTT DeepTech Ready Program powered by Data Science Nigeria with support from Google.org and Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy. Expanding access to AI, Data Science, Robotics, and Cloud Computing training.
• NitHub (University of Lagos)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration with NitHub (NITDA IT Hub, University of Lagos) to host the Research Exchange at Omniverse Africa Summit 2025, bridging African researchers with global community.
• GIZ/DTC NigeriamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with GIZ Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria for Research Exchange programs connecting African researchers with international funding opportunities including the German-African Innovation Incentive Award.
• Gener8tormajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partnership with nationally ranked venture capital firm and accelerator to launch TechQuest-Gener8tor Pre-Investment Accelerator Fellowship. Aims to support African startups with strategic guidance, revenue enhancement approaches, product-market fit insights, and go-to-market strategies.
• Coronation Merchant BankminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Hosted Tech Graduate Trainee Mentorship program for 2023 trainees with industry experts from HP, Dell Technologies, VMware, and fintech companies sharing career guidance.
• AfriLabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Member of AfriLabs network, recipient of AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme award, host of ACBP workshops and ecosystem events. Participation in AfriLabs Annual Gatherings and collaboration with other African innovation hubs.
• VodacomminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Robotics Training partnership with Vodacom and DynastyCSR delivering 2-day training on AI, VR, and IoT for 45 secondary school students.
• VMwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationVMware IT Academy partnership offering certified training in networking technologies, ICT infrastructures, cloud services and virtualization. Provides access to VMware coursework, certifications (VCA, VCP, VCAD), and career pathways in virtualization and cloud computing.
• Huawei TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationHuawei ICT Academy partnership offering certification programs in ICT infrastructure, Cloud services and platform at three levels: HCIA, HCIP, and HCIE. Covers Storage, Intelligent Computing, Enterprise Communication, Datacom, WLAN, Security, SDN, LTE, 5G, Data Center, IoT, Cloud, and more.
• LASRIC (Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLASRIC powers the STEM Skill-Up: Backend Web Development scholarship program implemented by TechQuest. Additional LASRIC SSP program for nano-entrepreneurs with digital skills training and job placement support.
• TerratalentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with pioneering German firm Terratalent for Bridge2Work program - Nigeria-German partnership connecting IT talent with European companies for placement in Germany and EU.
• Northumbria UniversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationTechQuest certification is affiliated with UK's Northumbria University, providing international academic recognition for completed programs and credentials.
• MTN NigeriamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships including MTN mPulse Hackathon (745+ participants), MTN Kiddies Digerati (219 kids), and MTN Global Acceleration Programme for top 10 hackathon finalists. Programs sponsored by MTN Transformation office.
• IHS TowersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHS Nigeria partners with TechQuest and Lagos State Government to empower 1000+ secondary school teachers with digital skills. Also delivered COVID-19 initiatives and Learn at Work Week programs.
• CumminsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Cummins Teachers' Training program to equip educators with STEM teaching capabilities.
• Fidelity BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Digital Bootcamp Programme providing digital skills training for young people through corporate-sponsored initiative.
• Lagos Mainland Local GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lagos Mainland Local Government to deliver STEM training to 1000 kids in Ebutte-Meta and ongoing teacher and student programs across the local government area.
• ANDE (Aspen Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in ANDE Pan African Conference and ongoing collaboration with Aspen Institute's network for small and growing businesses in developing economies.
• DreamFactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hub in African innovation ecosystem collaborating on programs and initiatives.
• ActivSpacesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner innovation hub in Africa collaborating on tech ecosystem development.
• ISN HubsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through ISN Annual Gathering connecting African tech hubs and sharing best practices.
• NUSTEMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting STEM education initiatives and programs.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Andela: Andela trains and places African software engineering talent, competing with TechQuest's Bridge2Work Germany program, Gener8tor accelerator, and career-focused tech certifications for the same young-professional talent pool across Africa.
• ALX Africa: ALX Africa operates tech-skills training programs (software engineering, data science, cloud computing) across multiple African countries, directly competing with TechQuest's paid tech courses and certification pathways for similar career-changer and young-professional segments.
• Utiva: Utiva provides tech-skills training (data science, software engineering, product management) in Nigeria and across Africa, overlapping with TechQuest's Data Analytics, web development, and career-focused training programs for early-career professionals.
• Semicolon Africa: Semicolon Africa runs software development training and talent placement programs targeting Nigerian youth and career changers, directly comparable to TechQuest's tech courses and Bridge2Work international placement pathway.
• CcHUB (Co-Creation Hub): CcHUB is a Lagos-based innovation and technology hub that funds, supports, and trains African tech startups and talent — operating a comparable hub-and-talent-development model in the same Lagos ecosystem as TechQuest.
• Decagon (Nigeria): Decagon is a Lagos-based coding bootcamp and tech talent accelerator offering intensive software engineering training, directly comparable to TechQuest's paid Backend/Frontend Web Development and Mobile App Development courses in the Nigerian market.

Regional players

• Moringa School: Moringa School is an East African tech training provider offering full-stack and data science bootcamps; it operates in the same product category as TechQuest but primarily serves Kenya and regional markets rather than Nigeria.
• Gebeta (formerly Iceaddis): Gebeta is an Ethiopian tech education and innovation hub running coding training and developer programs, comparable to TechQuest's hub-and-training model but focused on the Ethiopian market rather than Nigeria.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Coursera is a global online learning platform increasingly partnering with African institutions and governments to deliver tech content, representing a large-scale incumbent competing for the same self-paced learner segment that TechQuest's Mission-T app and online courses serve.

Emerging players

• AfriLabs: AfriLabs is a pan-African network of innovation hubs and tech talent developers of which TechQuest is a member; comparable as a peer ecosystem player (capacity-building programs, hub network) rather than a direct training competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tqstem
• Facebookfacebook.com/techqueststemacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TechQuest STEM Academy