Introducing our last education startup spotlight – James Larbi and his startup, Preued. James was one of the wonderful startups that attended our edtech startups dinner last week.

What’s the elevator pitch for your startup?
Preued is an educational technology company that partners with leading secondary, high schools & colleges to publish free open online courses. Whether you are like Rachel who wants to study top secondary/high school courses from renowned institutions in their field, or like Ling who wants to study abroad but needs the right language skills to pass his english language test, or perhaps you’re like Sandra, who’s changing fields & needs the right pre requisites to study at university or maybe like Adesh, who’s been out of studying for a while & wants the right courses to get him prepared for university, there is a free course for you.

What were you doing before you launched your startup?
I studied aerospace engineering before I started my startup. It literally is rocket science, that’s why I had no idea what went on in class! I’m kidding, I’m still studying it though & love it. I also currently serve as the lead designer at Floople, a web design agency which creates crisp & elegant websites.

Do you have co-founders?
I went with the oneman army, mantra. 😀

What’s your biggest ‘hindsight’ moment?
Coffee is your best friend… I’m kidding, well, that too. But my biggest, hindsight moment is…. “Read through an entire document before signing it” !!!

What will 2014 bring?
Honestly, we’re painting on a blank canvas; we’re excited about where the journey of widening access to education & improving the classroom learning experience will take us.

1 piece of advice for someone starting a business in the education space?
I think I’ll say, it’s great to first grow organically & if necessary, amplify your story through paid ads. Although the easiest way to get new customers is through ads, ads could also be the tax you pay for not doing due diligence.

Convince someone to use your product/service in under 50 words.
Our platform involves two parties; schools publishing courses & students from around the world who study them.
> to students – “study the best high school, secondary school & preuniversity courses, for free.”
> to school & teachers – “Take your mission from the classroom to the world, by publishing an open online course with us.”

What’s your favourite startup in the education space (not including your own)?
Coursera will be my favourite startup. I love how they’ve spearheaded the online education revolution. I’m also a big fan of ReferenceME, having met Tom & Filip, the cool & calm dynamic duo.

What’s your favourite London restaurant?
I’ve only got one dietary requirement; “Eats Chicken”, so Nandos does me well,” hands down”!

We throughly enjoyed the hindsight moment! Thanks James. You can read other startup spotlights here.