Romanian edtech startup Youni is expanding its operations internationally with the establishment of two new offices in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The company made an investment of 80,000 euros ($86,216), primarily allocated to operations, HR, and marketing, to support its expansion efforts. The decision to enter these former Soviet states was driven by the recognition that many students in these countries have international aspirations but face barriers in accessing information and navigating the application process. Additionally, there has been an increasing interest among students in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to study at Romanian universities.

Youni aims to diversify its market presence and strengthen its portfolio of destination countries. The company operates an AI-powered platform that connects students with universities and facilitates the application process, while also fostering a global educational community. Its efforts have resulted in securing over $15 million (13.9 million euros) in scholarships for Romanian students in the current school year alone. Furthermore, in the previous school year, Youni achieved a 100% acceptance rate for the students it advised in their university applications.

Founded in 2017, Youni has served over 14,000 students and pupils. It has attracted investments totaling 1.2 million euros since 2020, with local venture capital firm Early Game Venture (EGV) leading the investment round, along with participation from Simple Capital and angel investors with a technology background. The expansion into Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signifies Youni’s commitment to its mission of connecting students with educational opportunities worldwide and underscores the growing demand for its services in the region.