JAZRO gains investment to boost robotics education

JAZRO Robotic Academy (JAZRO), an innovative robotics education startup, has announced an investment of RM1.2 million from Gobi Partners through the Khazanah Nasional Berhad-backed Gobi Dana Impak Ventures (GDIV) fund.

This strategic funding will accelerate JAZRO’s mission to provide inclusive and accessible robotics education to young learners across Malaysia.

Founded in 2020 by Ir. Dzulfarqeish Bin Zainuddin, alongside co-founders Yasser Rabanie and Khoirun Nisah, JAZRO addresses the need for hands-on, technology-driven education in Malaysia.

With this investment, JAZRO plans to expand its educational reach, enhancing its curriculum and making robotics education available to more students, including those with special needs.

JAZRO’s growth and impact on education

JAZRO was born out of Dzulfarqeish’s personal experience of struggling to find a robotics programme for his son while working in Kerteh.

The lack of structured robotics education programmes at the time prompted him to launch JAZRO, filling a significant gap in Malaysia’s educational landscape.

Since its founding, JAZRO has expanded to several locations, including Kerteh, Kuala Terengganu, Chukai, and Cyberjaya, reaching over 50,000 students.

Its curriculum is designed to cater to diverse learning needs, with an emphasis on hands-on experiences in robotics and coding.

The programme encourages creativity and problem-solving skills in a technology-driven environment.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, discover, and explore the exciting world of robotics,” said Dzulfarqeish, CEO and co-founder of JAZRO.

“This investment will help us accelerate our growth and continue our mission of driving innovation and creating value for the communities we serve.”

Expanding inclusivity with specialised programmes

Part of JAZRO’s commitment to inclusive education is its expansion into programmes tailored specifically for children with autism.

Through partnerships with occupational therapists, JAZRO has developed a specialised curriculum to help children with special needs improve cognitive, communication, and social skills.

This initiative highlights JAZRO’s focus on making robotics education accessible to all students, regardless of their abilities.

“We believe in the transformative power of robotics education,” Dzulfarqeish added.

“Our aim is to bridge the educational divide and ensure every child, including those with special needs, has access to this essential skill set for the digital age.”

Gobi Partners’ investment and strategic partnership

The investment from Gobi Partners is a key step in JAZRO’s growth journey. Gobi Partners, an Asia-focused venture capital firm, is known for supporting startups that drive social impact and innovation.

This partnership is a reflection of Gobi’s mission to support ventures that promote digital literacy and access to quality education, aligning with JAZRO’s goals.

Jamaludin Bujang, Managing Partner at Gobi Partners, said, “Our partnership with JAZRO reflects Gobi Partners’ dedication to nurturing startups that drive social impact through technology.

We are confident that with our support, JAZRO will continue to expand its reach and inspire the next generation of innovators across the region.”

This funding will enable JAZRO to scale its operations, enhance its curriculum, and develop new educational tools.

The company plans to broaden its reach and continue to equip young learners with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

JAZRO’s efforts align with the Malaysian government’s Digital Education Policy (Dasar Pendidikan Digital), which aims to close the gap in digital literacy among students and educators.

By expanding its reach and providing quality robotics education, JAZRO is contributing to the country’s broader goals of fostering a digital society and preparing students for the challenges of the digital economy.

“We are immensely proud of JAZRO’s achievements,” said Zafirah Bahiyyah Zulkifli, CEO of PETRONAS Innovation Garage (PING), JAZRO’s incubator.

“Their work in education is inspiring, and we are thrilled to support them as they continue to grow and make an impact on the next generation of tech-savvy innovators.”

With the support of Gobi Partners and PETRONAS Innovation Garage, JAZRO is poised for significant growth.

The company is committed to driving innovation in education and expanding its curriculum to meet the needs of students across Malaysia.