Decentralising Education: Interview with Selim Kangeldi, CEO of Udao

The world of education is rapidly developing, with technological advancements and shifting job market dynamics demanding innovative solutions to bridge the skills gap.

Udao, a growing Web 3.0 platform, has emerged as a pioneer in this field, focusing on empowering individuals to acquire and enhance their skills while connecting

them to relevant job opportunities.

Udao has only one mission: to empower lifelong learners, bridge the skills gap, and provide practical, real-world knowledge.

Udao's CEO, Selim Kangeldi, shares insights into the platform's success in the first presale stage, where it raised over $100,000 in 10 days.

Selim, could you tell us more about your recent successful presale?

Of course, I'd be happy to! Our journey began with our first public presale on September 25, 2023, and honestly, we weren't sure what to expect. But we were happy to see the overwhelming support from our community.

In just 10 days, we raised over $100,000, and that's something we're truly grateful for. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who believed in our presale at this early stage. This support motivates our entire team and fuels our passion for what we're building.

For the second stage we've even lowered the barrier to entry so that anyone can invest with just $0.49. We want to be as inclusive as possible. In total, we have already raised over $2 million, which includes contributions from our anchor investors, founding team, and private sale.

What inspired you to choose this direction for Udao's mission in the rapidly changing landscape of education and the job market?

It's all about two key inspirations: efficiency and equality in skill development. We're driven by the belief of the potential within every individual. Empowering people to decide their own path is an essential part of our mission.

When it comes to equality in skill development, I stand for the following – everyone should have access to quality training and global job opportunities. Your skills, not your privileges, should be what matters most.

Hard work increases your chances of personal success, but it all starts with having the right skills and connecting to the right opportunities.

Efficiency in skill development is the other vital aspect. There's incredible potential in every person, and too often it remains untapped. We're here to make an impact by giving everyone the tools to reach their full potential.

We have all been in a situation where we held diplomas but felt unprepared for the real world. This realization hit me personally when I graduated from ETH Zurich, despite my academic success. That's when my journey of lifelong learning began.

The global labor market is increasingly dynamic, could you shed some light on how Udao strives to match the demand and supply of skills effectively?

It’s important to understand that Udao isn't just another e-learning platform. We’re a comprehensive AI solution that supports the whole value chain of skills. We bridge the gap between what individuals need to thrive in their careers and what the job market demands.

Our platform connects experts, learners, and organizations, ensuring a seamless exchange of resources and skills.

Why do you put premium on practical skills and real-world knowledge. How does this approach set you apart from other e-learning platforms?

What truly sets Udao apart is our commitment to directly addressing the global skills gap. We don't provide education, we focus on skills that are directly relevant to roles demanded by the job market.

These skills are rigorously validated through assessments and peer reviews, ensuring that our users gain real-world knowledge that employers value. In my opinion, this approach, combined with a community-owned platform on Web 3.0 that utilizes cutting-edge AI, represents the next big advancement in the EdTech market.

Why are Udao courses tailored to the needs of companies? How does this approach increase the effectiveness of learning?

This is a great question. To truly understand the effectiveness, it's essential to consider the problem we're solving. We're tackling the global issue of a skills gap, with 87% of companies currently facing this challenge, and it's expected to worsen.

Over a billion people will need to reskill to bridge this gap, especially since 50% of skills become outdated within 3-5 years. Our solution revolves around aligning learning with market demands.

By tailoring courses to meet the real-world needs of companies, we ensure that individuals acquire skills that are immediately relevant and valuable.

This approach significantly increases the effectiveness of learning by directly addressing the gap between what individuals know and what the job market needs.

Udao operates in Switzerland, known for its stringent regulations. How do these regulations contribute to the transparency and legitimacy of the platform?

Operating in Switzerland certainly comes with a level of responsibility, and it's an integral part of our commitment to transparency and legitimacy.

Here in Switzerland, we, as the founders and the individuals listed in the registry of the company, are personally accountable against the Swiss financial regulator. Switzerland is known for its rigorous financial regulations, particularly in the fintech sector.

Switzerland's regulator, FINMA, has been proactive and a pioneer in regulating this sector, starting back in 2018 and continuously updating its regulations. This robust regulatory environment contributes to the trust and transparency of our platform.

Secondly, and very importantly, the regulations for foundations in Switzerland are robust, existing within a politically stable and neutral environment, thus providing a secure setting for Web 3.0 operations.

You have secured a number of strategic partnerships over the years. How do these partnerships support your mission?

Partnerships are important for our mission. While we're not education experts ourselves, we understand the importance of collaborating with experts.

One of our key partners is the European Academy for Executive Education, led by a close friend and an expert in global leadership. He brings a wealth of experience, having trained C-Level executives in major companies like Adidas, Nestle, SAP, Daimler, Siemens, and Roche, to name a few.

These partnerships provide us with the expertise and insights needed to deliver high-quality education through our platform. They also show our dedication to excellence and our commitment to providing the best learning opportunities to our users.

How does it help users stay relevant in a rapidly changing world?

Staying relevant in this rapidly changing world is a top priority for us. We do this by focusing on the latest market trends and aligning our offerings accordingly.

Udao's platform serves as a bridge between the supply and demand for skills. For example, if the market demands expertise in cybersecurity, learners can quickly identify this as a valuable skill to acquire, and experts can see the demand for their expertise, incentivizing them to provide learning opportunities. We keep our users informed about the ever-evolving job market, helping them adapt and thrive.

How does your incentives and rewards system work?

We have introduced a concept called C2E – Contribute to Earn. The idea behind is that all activities that benefit the platform and finally the community, should be rewarded. So users can engage in activities like voting on platform decisions, validating content for quality, and even handling dispute resolutions.

These actions not only enhance the platform but also offer rewards, fostering a vibrant and active community.

What does the future hold for Udao, and how can individuals and organizations get involved in this revolutionary AI-based Skills Economy?

We see Udao as a global community-led platform that stands shoulder to shoulder with today’s global Web 2.0 leaders like Udemy and Coursera. We have some exciting developments on the horizon and are driven by market needs and community input.

To get involved in this AI-driven Skills Economy, you can just register as a user on Udao and if you want to participate in Udao’s success you can start by purchasing our tokens and actively participating on our platform. Together, we’re shifting education and skill development into the Web 3.0 World.