eFlow’s story began in the heart of Beirut Digital District, fueled by a vision to bridge the gap in education accessibility. It started with a simple but powerful idea — to leverage AI and messaging platforms to make learning more engaging and accessible for students everywhere.
Before eFlow was even conceived, its founder, Bassel Jalaleddine was experimenting with early AI chatbot technologies, particularly GPT-2, long before OpenAI launched ChatGPT-3. His deep understanding of AI-driven learning solutions offered a unique advantage to both Bassel and Samer Bawab, Partner at eFlow. They went on to build their first proof of concept (PoC) for an NGO serving Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan.
As their journey unfolded, the problem was clear: many learners had limited data access, low digital literacy, and little to no access to computers. Bassel had already developed a chatbot-driven learning solution that integrated directly with WhatsApp, making education available to even the most underserved communities. This was a game-changer.
Scaling Solutions for NGOs & Social Impact
eFlow’s first major breakthrough came with the signing of an agreement with an NGO based in the US, operating in the Middle East. eFlow was tasked to digitize an entrepreneurship course for youth (ages 18-45) through Telegram. The challenge? Delivering engaging content in Arabic to users with varying levels of digital proficiency. The result? A highly interactive and accessible program that empowered learners with real-world business skills.
This success led to collaborations with UNHCR Lebanon, where eFlow was used to provide Basic Literacy and Numeracy (BLN) programs to refugees across Lebanon. Partnering with organizations such as NABAD for Development, Caritas, and the Rene Moawad Foundation, we reached over 1,800 learners, achieving an 82% course completion rate.
Demand started to rise, and eFlow began expanding into new learning verticals and developed a groundbreaking initiative. eFlow collaborated with the International Labor Organization (ILO) Jordan and Better Work Jordan to develop a Sexual Harassment Prevention (SHP) training program for workers in Jordan’s garment sector. The program was digitized and delivered via WhatsApp, allowing workers to access bite-sized, interactive lessons in their preferred language.
The training was developed in Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Sinhalese, and Nepali, reaching over 10,000 workers, with 500+ registered participants to date. The program achieved a 70% completion rate, with workers reporting greater confidence in identifying and addressing harassment. This was all made possible with the integration of AI-driven chatbots, microlearning, gamification, and real-time assessments, making the training more engaging and effective.
Additionally, eFlow and Wiley, a global publishing leader with over 100,000 books, have established a strategic partnership to revolutionize learning. Through this collaboration, students can access an AI-powered tutor by scanning a QR code in their Wiley textbooks. The AI tutor can be connected via WhatsApp or any preferred messaging platform, offering instant, personalized answers to help students study and excel in their exams. for 7 seconds
eFlow and the Queen Rania Foundation have been in a dynamic partnership since 2021, revolutionizing parental education with an innovative childhood development course. Delivered entirely in Arabic via Facebook Messenger, this flexible, self-paced program equips parents with essential insights and practical skills for early childhood development. With over 2,100 parents engaged and a robust 60% completion rate, the initiative continues to uplift family well-being and empower communities well into 2025.
Harnessing the power of AI to make education more accessible
The rapid advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs), particularly ChatGPT and AI-powered automation, have been a game-changer for eFlow. As AI capabilities surged, so did the demand for intelligent, adaptive learning solutions—perfectly aligning with eFlow’s mission.
Previously, breaking down complex content into structured, bite-sized learning modules required days or even weeks of manual effort. Now, with AI-driven automation, eFlow can generate high-quality, interactive learning flows in under a minute. This efficiency boost has allowed the company to scale faster, customize content dynamically, and meet the increasing demand for AI-powered training across industries.
Expansion into the corporate world
While eFlow continues to make a tangible impact in the humanitarian education space, the team identified an even greater opportunity in corporate Learning & Development (L&D) across the Gulf region. With organizations increasingly prioritizing AI-powered workforce training, the team saw a clear demand for scalable, adaptive learning solutions tailored to corporate needs.
This strategic shift allowed eFlow to leverage its expertise to support enterprises in banking, logistics, manufacturing, and retail, equipping employees with on-demand, skill-based training through WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, and AI-driven learning platforms. By focusing on corporate L&D, eFlow has been able to drive greater impact, enhance workforce productivity, and position the company as a leader in AI-driven training solutions for the region’s evolving business landscape.
What can other startups learn from eFlow?
If there’s one thing eFlow’s journey has shown, it’s that resilience and adaptability are key. Some takeaways for early-stage startups:
- Swing High – Go after top-tier clients early. Big logos attract investors and future clients.
- Learn to Say No – Not all deals are worth taking. Some projects may not align with your core expertise and can drain resources.
- Get Sticky Clients – Focus on delivering so much value that customers renew every year. eFlow’s long-term clients have sustained us through difficult periods.
- Leverage Your Network – One introduction can change the trajectory of your business. Accelerators, referrals, and strategic partnerships helped eFlow scale.
- Invest in Design & Messaging – A great pitch deck, website, and marketing materials can set you apart and build credibility.
- Keep in Touch with Investors – Even if a VC says no today, a quarterly update showcasing progress can reopen the conversation later.
What impact has eFlow achieved?
eFlow tracks different metrics to capture the impact of its programs. This includes course completion rates, time spent on learning, pre and post assessment scores, knowledge retention and learner satisfaction scores. To date, eFlow has supported over 40,000 employees, students and teachers across 6 countries in the GCC, MENA, and Asia.
What’s in the pipeline for eFlow?
eFlow is on an exciting growth trajectory, with several high-impact projects in the pipeline, set to close by Q2 of this year. These initiatives will further solidify the company’s role as a leader in AI-driven corporate and institutional learning.
Its platform is evolving into a true AI learning companion, dynamically adjusting learning paths, automating assessments, and providing real-time, just-in-time training tailored to individual needs. As skill-based hiring and micro-credentialing gain momentum, eFlow will be the backbone of continuous workforce development, offering AI-driven upskilling, mentorship, and intelligent course recommendations.
Being recognized for impact
With all of eFlow’s hard work in the educational realm for marginalized communities, they received global recognition, solidifying their position as a leader in AI-powered education. The recognitions and awards include:
- World Summit Awards (WSA) Winner, 2021 – Out of 290 startup nominations from 182 countries, eFlow was selected as one of the Top 40 winners globally, winning in the Inclusion & Empowerment category
- MIT Solve Finalists – Recognized for our innovative approach to education technology in the “Innovative Classrooms” category
- Seedstars PHRD Migration Prize – Honored for leveraging AI in refugee education, reinforcing eFlow’s commitment to social impacteFlow Pricing Structure….
- Forbes 30 Under 30 MENA, 2023 – Co-Founder & CEO, Bassel Jalaleddine, was recognized in Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 list, highlighting his visionary leadership and contributions to AI in education
These recognitions validated eFlow’s mission, proving that AI-driven learning can make a difference where traditional education models had failed. As they scale, they carry their spirit of innovation into corporate learning, ensuring that AI-powered education continues to transform industries worldwide.
Explore eFlow’s services and impact, here: https://www.eflow.app/
