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To the episode titled Founder CEOI talked to Michał Borkowski, a visionary Wiselya global educational technology platform that revolutionizes the way students learn and collaborate.
Growing up in Poland after the fall of the Soviet Union, Michał witnessed the transformation of the nation. This era of change was reflected at his highschool, where students worked together in extraordinary ways to beat challenges. Michał’s classes were characterised by the spirit of cooperation – students with strengths in physics helped others, and those proficient in biology returned the favor before exams. This collaborative environment planted the seed for Brainly: What if this peer support could extend beyond the classroom and exist online?
Michał recalls: “No one knew everything, but everyone knew something.” This easy yet powerful idea later became the basis of his business.
Building your brain: an idea became a reality
Brain began as an experiment, built in just a month, with the vision to recreate the collaborative, peer-to-peer learning Michael experienced in highschool. Launched in 2009, it quickly attracted students searching for and sharing answers to their homework questions. Already on the first day, Michał and his team noticed organic engagement – students asked questions and others began helping. It was a revelation.
The platform initially served Poland, but quickly developed, gaining popularity in Russia, the United States and beyond. Today, Brain is a global phenomenon with over 10 million every day lively users. Its success lies in its ability to adapt to different education systems while meeting a universal challenge: making learning less intimidating and more accessible.
As Michael put it: “We don’t start with the education system – we start with the students.” By empowering individuals, Brainly shapes a future where learning is not only accessible, but truly effective.
The unique advantage: Brainly’s secret sauce
At its core, Brainly is built on a sense of community through cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Students can ask questions anonymously, eliminating the stigma of admitting to confusion. Educators and experts contribute by improving AI-generated content, providing students with accurate, high-quality support.
Michal explains: “Artificial intelligence is like a great teacher – it understands each student’s strengths and weaknesses, adapts to their curriculum and tailors lessons to their needs.” This combination of artificial intelligence and community engagement allows Brainly to stay each technologically advanced and deeply human.
Looking to the future: revolutionizing education
Michael’s vision for Brainly goes beyond helping students pass tests. He envisions a world where personalized AI teachers provide every child with access to transformative education, no matter location or socioeconomic status. “With artificial intelligence, we can shift the entire curve up,” he says, emphasizing the potential to fill learning gaps and enable students to find their passions.
Michał predicts that in the long term, Brainly will have a systemic impact on global education. By reducing the mental burden of homework and test preparation, the platform can release students’ time for arts, sports and other interests that shape well-rounded individuals.
Lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs
Michael’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to perseverance and purpose. He admits to struggling with imposter syndrome, a common phenomenon among founders. “You never feel good enough to rise to the challenge,” he says, reflecting on the constant pressure to enhance each the company and himself. But this attitude fuels his drive to innovate.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Michał advises starting early and using failure as an opportunity to learn. “There are no downsides,” he insists, emphasizing that the lessons learned far outweigh the risks.