Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.

Why Labspace is Evolving… When we launched Labspace, our goal was simply to leverage its co-working service to create an enabling environment where innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators in Niger State could connect, build, and grow. In those early days, co-working was the heartbeat of collaboration. It gave rise to a vibrant community of thinkers and doers. However, as we’ve experienced firsthand, the market has evolved. Pre-COVID, shared workspaces were at their peak, fueled by in-person collaboration, and symbolic of the startup culture’s energy. But the post-COVID reality reshaped work patterns globally. Remote work surged, digital collaboration tools matured, and the demand for flexible physical co-working gradually began to decline. After years of observing these shifts and listening to our community, Labspace is strategically restructuring. Effective December 1st, 2025, we will discontinue general co-working services and focus exclusively on Private Office Services and tailored Incubation Support for startups and high-growth ventures. This decision wasn’t made lightly, it’s a product of reflection, experience, and a commitment to evolving with the times. Our new focus allows us to dedicate more resources to ventures that need secure, customized spaces to grow and to offer deeper, more hands-on incubation support for founders shaping the next generation of innovation. At Labspace, our mission remains unchanged: to bridge the Niger State and Northern Nigeria’s technology ecosystem with the global tech landscape. What changes is how we deliver that mission with more focus, precision, and purpose. To every founder, freelancer, and partner who has been part of our journey, thank you. This evolution is for you. - Abdulkadir Suleiman Lapai.. Founding Partner, Labspace

Edukoya's shutdown. TechPoint announced the closure of Edukoya, an edtech startup that raised $3 million in seed funding, just 3 days ago. Honestly, I didn’t want to comment because it brings mixed emotions and I got tags and a few reachouts. It’s also sensitive to discuss because, as a founder of an edtech startup myself, Edukoya’s situation hits home. But, for those who are close to me, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that, sometimes internally, due to my knowledge and experience with startup venture building and market partners, I predict how certain edtech startups might fail, including those that have raised significant rounds at the Series stages. Africa’s market for edtech is unique, and those of us who’ve been around for a while can attest that it’s not solely about disruption or building the most beautiful idea. It’s about understanding the market and building for it. I’ve seen innovations where, by the time the idea gets to its most exciting stage, the startup or company behind it has already depleted most of its resources and attempting to transition an existing market to adopt the solution might be challenging for the obvious reasons. The question for edtech startups isn't really about scaling or bringing technology into the equation. It's about how to evolve or create a market to meet future needs. The tricky part, however, is that in many cases, the target audiences for these edtech solutions aren’t the ones who’ll pay for the value being offered. A key issue is whether these audiences have the right access to things like internet infrastructure, tools, and platforms that are essential for the startup to function and reach its target market. On the other hand, I’ve also seen innovations where the foundation of the product is built with the future in mind, but this approach becomes much more viable when you begin by addressing the market's current needs. Instead of building a product based on a futuristic idea and hoping the market will adapt, it’s far more effective to meet the market where it is now and gradually transition it toward the future. It’s about creating that bridge for the market, rather than expecting them to be ready for disruption right away. This approach, while tricky, may be the key to success in this space—adaptability. While I haven't found a direct equivalent in the African edtech space that has scaled in a similar manner, we can look to successful startups in other regions for inspiration. For instance, consider the trajectory of super apps like Grab and Gojek in Southeast Asia. Both began by tackling a specific, immediate need: reliable transportation. Grab started with ride-hailing, addressing the challenges of congested cities, while Gojek focused on organizing the existing motorcycle taxi network in Indonesia. They then strategically expanded their offerings, transitioning into comprehensive digital platforms. Grab introduced GrabFood, GrabMart, and GrabPay, while Gojek added GoFood, GoMart, GoPay, and GoSend, among other services. These expansions demonstrate a clear strategy of building a strong user base by solving immediate, practical problems, and then leveraging that base to introduce a wider range of services, effectively shaping the market's adoption of a broader digital ecosystem. In edtech, it’s essential to strike the right balance between building for the future and addressing current market needs. Alternatively, some startups have successfully transitioned into the future by phased implementation of futuristic solutions and evolving them to address present-day concerns. It’s not just about building for what’s next—it’s about moving people and markets with you.