6 Questions with Prince Boateng Asare (CEO, STEMAIDE).

Prince Boateng Asare is a User Experience Designer with over ten years of experience. As the CEO of STEMAIDE, he spearheads the education technology company’s vision to provide educational tools and foster a supportive environment to equip young Africans with the necessary skills and mindset to thrive. He is also a co-founder of IoT Network Hub Africa, an organization with over 20,000 engineers and tech enthusiasts.

1. How would you describe your job to a 5-year-old?

We make fun toys based on science and technology to help you learn cool things about the world and how things work.

2. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned since launching your startup or getting into the role?

As the lead of Stem Aide, one of the most surprising things I have learned is how overwhelming the job can be. There are some startups you meet that you need to do everything for. Also, you may not know how much help people will give you unless you interact with them. It could be challenging and rewarding as well.

3. What’s one function or area of your job you spend the most time on?

Trying to understand the products we build and if these products meet the standards of our customers. Other aspects of my job include strategic planning, proposal writing, and developing partnerships.

4. What three trends in your sector are you bullish about or keeping a close tab?

• AI in education and how best we can effectively and efficiently deploy solutions in Africa in less deprived communities with a high teacher-to-student ratio.
• Internet of Things.
• Virtual reality/Augmented reality. An immersive experience for children in deprived communities from the experience of a virtual lab. The labs will serve as a source of education for these children, using simulations to explain things they do not understand. 

5. What gaps do you think startups in Ghana should be building for?

•  Digital skills (Bridging the gap between technology and re-skilling)
• Innovative and creative solutions for the African market.
• Education.

6. If you were to build a new company, which historical or contemporary figure would you appoint to the board and why?

I would pick Kofi Annan because he championed education and impacted a lot of Africans in that area.