Bucharest-based edtech startup Youni, which uses AI to streamline university admissions for students, has raised €900,000 in a seed funding round led by Soulmates Ventures, with participation from Early Game Ventures, as Vestbee was informed.
- Founded in 2017 by Andrei Nicolae, Ștefan Țăpescu, and Daniel Posdărăscu, Youni develops an AI-driven platform that offers comprehensive support to students in preparing for admission to prestigious universities by helping them develop detailed profiles that outline their interests and goals.
- The Youni platform uses AI algorithms to recommend suitable fields of study and universities, connects students with verified tutors for standardized test preparation (such as TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, and more), and offers assistance with university applications and scholarship opportunities, along with access to education advisors for personalized guidance.
- Additionally, Youni has served over 6,000 students worldwide and secured scholarships worth $52 million, further enhancing its ability to optimize the admissions process and help students globally and locally by using AI to match them with opportunities that promote equal access to education.
Details of the deal
- The seed round was led by Prague-based VC Soulmates Ventures, which invests in innovative European startups, focusing on sectors such as air, water, energy, circular economy, food and agriculture, mobility, education, and healthcare.
"Finding the right field of study and succeeding in entrance exams is often very difficult for students. They need comprehensive information, direction, and support. We consider using scalable and modern digital technologies for this purpose to be an excellent idea that has the potential to simplify students’ paths towards their ideal career path," Founder and Managing Partner of Soulmates Ventures, Hynek Sochor, stated in a press release.
- The fresh funding was also supported by Early Game Ventures, which invested €300,000. Early Game Ventures is a Bucharest-based venture capital firm that recently launched its €60 million Fund II to invest in 25 to 30 early-stage startups across the CEE region, with participation from several business angels in the round.
- With the fresh capital, Youni plans to scale and enhance its AI platform used by universities in the admissions process, while also strengthening its presence in the markets of the US, UK, and Australia. Over the next year, the Youni team aims to help one million students secure admission to their ideal universities.
