I've always dreamed of starting my own business. Growing up with NVLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder) and ADD, I faced many challenges in school—especially with spelling and mathematics. I struggled a lot and couldn’t pass Grade 11 mathematics, which made me believe that my dream of becoming a computer programmer was over.
So I shifted to art subjects, thinking IT was out of reach. But at the end of my Matric year, I discovered something that changed everything: you don’t need a degree to start a career in IT.
I began studying for networking certifications. In 2020, during my studies, I realized I could actually join a software development bootcamp—and maybe still become a developer. In 2021, I took the chance. I attended a web development bootcamp, and after three months of hard work, I landed my first job as a developer in May 2021.
During my first two years in the industry, I learned a lot. And I started to dream bigger: I wanted to use my skills to make a real difference—especially for students with learning disabilities like myself.
That’s when I started working on a proof of concept for an app to support students who learn differently. But, as I quickly learned, building an app isn't just about writing code—it also has to be sustainable as a business.
So I shifted my focus to a group that could really benefit from the tools I was creating: tutors and small schools. That’s how Tutu Learn was born.
Safe communication with minors
Many tutors and small schools struggle to find tools that enable secure, responsible communication with students—especially minors. Tutu Learn provides a safe platform with built-in accountability for both parties. All messages are logged, inappropriate content is flagged automatically, and optional parental or administrative oversight can be enabled to ensure transparency and safety.
Submitting paper-based work digitally
It’s often hard for students to submit handwritten homework in a digital world. Tutu Learn makes it easy to capture, upload, and mark paper-based work online, helping educators manage their workflow more efficiently.
Content protection for educators
Tutors and teachers work hard to create educational materials, but there’s little protection for their copyrighted content. Tutu Learn includes tools to securely share notes, worksheets, and lesson plans with verified students—while limiting unauthorized redistribution.
This is just the beginning. My long-term goal is to integrate AI into Tutu Learn to support learners with ADD, ADHD, NVLD, and dyslexia—making education more accessible and personalized for every kind of learner.
Right now, Tutu Learn is still a side hustle. Step one is to grow it big enough for me to work on it full time. But don’t worry—we’re already committed to serving you. My retired dad now works full time on customer support to make sure users get help during the day. And we have a solid release schedule coming up, bringing you new features and improvements.
Thanks for being part of the journey. I built Tutu Learn to help learners like me—and to empower educators to teach more effectively, safely, and creatively.
— Johann Nefdt, Founder of Tutu Learn
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