Pakistani-Origin London Founder Wins Dragons’ Deal to Power Inclusive Educational Gaming. Reedah El-Saie, a London-based entrepreneur of Pakistani origin, has secured a £30,000 investment from three Dragons’ Den investors to scale her award-winning educational technology startup, Brainspark Games.
El-Saie, a mother of three and a solo female founder, appeared on the popular BBC business show and impressed Sara Davies, Deborah Meaden, and Touker Suleyman, who each pledged £10,000 for a 1% equity stake in the company. Founded in 2021, Brainspark Games is an AI-powered and augmented reality (AR) mobile platform designed to make learning fun, inclusive, and accessible for children aged 7 to 14, including neurodiverse and BAME learners.
Backed by eight Innovate UK grants and partnerships with universities, local authorities, and global corporates, the platform delivers curriculum-aligned games in subjects such as English, Mathematics, History, Art, Physics, Biology, and climate studies. It condenses 12 weeks of classroom learning into just a few hours of immersive gameplay, helping students engage deeply with educational content.
“Before I headed into the studio, I watched every previous episode and prepared for every possible question,” said Reedah. “I was surprised at how impressed the Dragons were, and thrilled to receive investment from not one, but three of them.”
Reedah shared how the Dragons connected with her mission:
“Deborah Meaden and Sara Davies were enthusiastic about my educational vision, especially as mothers themselves. Touker Suleyman’s experience will be invaluable as we explore branded educational merchandise.”
Brainspark has already reached over 71,000 global downloads, partnered with 38 schools and six local authorities, and expanded into juvenile secure centers to make education accessible in underserved environments.
The company’s mission stems from a stark educational gap: around 35% of children report disengagement from learning, while BAME and neurodiverse students often fall 18–40 months behind their peers. With 91% of UK children already playing games, Brainspark bridges entertainment and education through a medium children love.
Despite its strong impact, Brainspark remains pre-revenue, relying on grants and early-stage investment as it refines its monetization strategy. However, the Dragons’ backing underscores strong belief in its vision and market potential.
Beyond digital learning, Brainspark extends its reach through holiday camps for children from low-income backgrounds, integrating virtual lessons with real-world activities like eco-building workshops.
As a non-technical founder, El-Saie has faced challenges in scaling, but through Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation program, she secured over £555,000 in grants, strengthening her leadership and resilience.
“Women in innovation are game-changers,” said Reedah. “This journey has taught me that inclusion and creativity are key to global growth.”
With the Dragons’ investment, Brainspark plans to expand its AI and neurogames technology, launch I/GCSE-level content, and scale internationally, reaffirming El-Saie’s vision of transforming education through inclusivity, play, and technology.
About Brainspark Games: Brainspark Games is a UK-based educational gaming platform using AI and AR to create inclusive, curriculum-aligned games that make learning engaging for all children, including those with learning differences.
Website: brainsparkgames.com
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