iCog: A New Chapter

Remember iCog Anyone Can Code(iCog-ACC)? Well, we've got some news... We're shedding the "ACC" and embracing the simplicity of "iCog." Why? First, let's be honest, nobody ever called us by our full name,😐. But more importantly, this change reflects our growth and a shift in our focus. The "Anyone Can Code" part doesn't quite capture everything we do now.

Eight years ago, when iCog Anyone Can Code (iCog-ACC) was born, Ethiopia's tech scene was a blank canvas with dots here and there. We felt responsible for tackling every problem we encountered because it seemed no one else was!  We founded iCog-ACC to nurture a new generation of tech enthusiasts, launching initiatives like Solve IT, the Digitruck mobile classroom, and teacher training programs. Our reach extended to more than 30k kids and young people in 17 cities, empowering youth, equipping schools, and partnering with organizations to drive innovation that could change the lives of kids and young people in Ethiopia.

So what changed? 

The landscape has since transformed dramatically. Talented entrepreneurs, including many of our alumni, are now leading thriving companies doing similar things, some even better :). This exciting growth calls for us to reevaluate our position and strengths in this evolving ecosystem…and our logo and name, so we are returning to our roots and calling ourselves iCog. 

I know the confusion remains 😁, but to simplify it, iCog Labs, as its last name suggests, is a lab that experiments, researches, and works on cutting-edge AGI research with its partners. Meanwhile, my team and I are focused on translating that knowledge into practical solutions that tackle real-world challenges.

So, what does the strategic shift look like

1. Training: improved training, better efficiency, and measured results, including expanding our reach to other demography and communities.
2. Consulting: we love solving problems, and we are still young (at least for the next 10 years based on the AU definition of youth :) ), so we have fresh perspectives, local context, and a skillset to implement impactful projects from a tech/emerging technology lens.
3. Products: we have built multiple products throughout the years to automate our internal processes and problems we encountered; we are going to roll out these products to the public and we are starting with Leyu.

This shift is bittersweet for us :|. As we embrace this new direction, we're saying goodbye to some beloved programs like Solve IT and our Paid Summer camp. It's tough, but they filled a huge gap when we started these initiatives. Now, the landscape is different, and it's time to make room for new endeavors.

But their legacies will live on! We will continue to engage the alumni from these projects in our new ones, provide them with opportunities, and open-source them. 

What does that mean?

We will share our insights, lessons learned, and even training materials from these projects with those doing something similar( follow our socials to learn more about this). This allows others to learn from our experiences, fostering innovation and collaborative growth within the community so that the mistakes we made are not repeated and implement similar programs at scale for different audiences. 

We remain optimistic about the future of Ethiopia's tech scene, which is a testament to everyone's collective effort in the ecosystem. We're excited to continue contributing to its vibrant future.

With renewed purpose and unwavering passion, we are iCog. We believe technology should be accessible to all, and young people are crucial to unlocking its potential. Our mission is to democratize technology through training, consultancy, and innovative products, enabling the next generation to shape the future. 

by Betelhem Dessie