Who we are:
SmartPath is a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to transforming education through innovative technology and community collaboration. We believe in the power of collective intelligence and resources to address the fundamental challenges in education. By leveraging blockchain technology and crowd-sourcing talents and funding, we are creating a transparent, secure, and efficient ecosystem that supports lifelong learning and educational equity.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to make quality education accessible and affordable for all, regardless of socioeconomic background. We aim to bridge educational disparities and equip students with modern digital skills, preparing them for the future.
What We Do:
SmartPath: Web 3 Enabled Preschool to College Assurance Plan is designed to revolutionize the educational landscape by integrating advanced technologies like Digital Ledger Technology (DLT) and blockchain. Our platform operates like a rewards points card, securely managing funds programmed solely for children's education up to college. This ensures that financial resources are used appropriately, making education more affordable and transparent.
How We Achieve Our Goals:
1. Crowd-Source Talents and Funding: As a crowd-source talents and funding social enterprise, SmartPath harnesses the collective expertise and resources of a global community. At the core of our initiative are over a thousand graduates from SEELS Teachers Academy, who bring their knowledge, experience, and passion to our platform. These graduates, along with other educators, mentors, developers, and professionals, contribute their skills and knowledge to enhance the quality of educational content and initiatives. Additionally, we pool financial resources from the community to support educational projects, scholarships, and innovative learning programs.
2. Social Equity Fund (SEF): The Social Equity Fund (SEF) is derived from subscriptions to the Norenwake Smart Contract. SEF aims to support less privileged educators in setting up their own schools and provide necessary funds for scholarships and support for parents and children in need. This fund underscores our commitment to social equity and educational accessibility, ensuring that talented educators have the resources they need to succeed and that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive.
3. Blockchain Technology: We utilize blockchain technology to ensure transparency and security in financial management. Smart contracts automate and verify the allocation of funds, guaranteeing that contributions are used as intended. This technology also allows us to issue blockchain-verified certificates and badges, adding an extra layer of credibility to our educational programs.
Tokenization: SmartPath leverages tokenization to create a seamless and efficient funding mechanism. Our native tokens can be used for contributions, rewards, and transactions within the platform, ensuring a fluid and incentivized ecosystem.
Digital Identity Data Management: We implement robust digital identity management solutions to securely store and manage personal and academic data. This ensures that students, educators, and contributors have verifiable and immutable records, enhancing trust and security within the platform.
4. Norenwake Smart Contract for SmartPath Branded Schools, Products, and Services: The Norenwake Smart Contract enables the use of SmartPath branded schools, products, and services. This smart contract framework facilitates seamless transactions, licensing, and quality assurance for institutions and individuals utilizing SmartPath's offerings. By integrating these contracts, we ensure consistency, transparency, and adherence to our educational standards across all SmartPath affiliated entities.
5. Personalized and Future-Ready Education: Our platform offers personalized learning experiences by tailoring educational content to meet the specific needs and interests of students. By introducing digital skills and coding at an early age, we prepare students for future technological advancements, ensuring they are equipped with essential competencies for the modern workforce.
6. Community Engagement and Innovation: SmartPath fosters a vibrant and engaged community where members actively participate in educational projects and innovations. Our collaborative approach leads to the development of creative and effective solutions to educational challenges. Contributors are incentivized through a points and rewards system, recognizing their efforts and encouraging ongoing participation.
Why choose SmartPath?
Meet the SmartPath Team: Innovators in Education
Initiator and Visionary Leadership
The SmartPath initiative is the brainchild of Cesar V. Santoyo, Founder and President of SEELS Co., Ltd. Cesar holds an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from College De Paris, a Master's in Global Blockchain Technologies, and a Digital Transformation Global MBA from Zigurat Institute of Technology in Barcelona, Spain. Additionally, Cesar leads the Global Blockchain Initiative (GBI) in Japan, with the Tokyo Blockchain Academy serving as the local hub. His visionary leadership and blockchain expertise have been instrumental in designing and launching this groundbreaking initiative, which has benefitted over a thousand of mothers and their children in the SEELS education field.
Origin of the Solution Name
The name "SmartPath" was chosen to reflect the intelligent and strategic approach to education that the solution embodies. The term "Smart" signifies the use of advanced technologies like blockchain to create a more efficient and transparent system. "Path" represents the comprehensive educational journey from preschool to college, highlighting the seamless and continuous support provided to students throughout their academic careers. Together, "SmartPath" encapsulates the vision of a forward-thinking, innovative pathway to educational success.
SEELS Co., Ltd. created SmartPath in response to the critical challenges in Japan's educational system, inspired by the success of previous educational initiatives.
SmartPath Logo Design Elements:
Symbolism:
How We Started
In Fiscal Year 2013-2014, SEELS Co., Ltd. received a grant from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) to implement a Tohoku Reconstruction program for foreign residents. This initiative helped foreign migrants develop new livelihoods through English education. SEELS has since achieved significant success, with over a thousand graduates, 85% of whom have been employed as English teachers. Many graduates have gone on to establish their own preschools and after-school English programs.
Establishing Preschools and After-School Programs
Creating preschools and after-school English programs presents numerous challenges, including significant capital outlay, curriculum development, and licensing requirements. To address these hurdles, SEELS has begun developing high-standard international schools with a distinctive focus: specialized schools aimed at preparing early learners to work and live in a digital world. SEELS believes that children need to be taught computer coding at the same age they are taught to read and count.
The SEELS DX International School in Chiba, Mobara Shi, started its pilot operations in April 2023, exemplifying this innovative approach. For after-school programs, the SEELS Smart City Academy was launched in January 2024 in Sakado, Saitama-Ken, further expanding SEELS' educational offerings. Additionally, the SEELS Vietnam Montessori Preschool operating since 2017 is part of this initiative, underscoring SEELS' commitment to diverse and inclusive education.
Unified Brand and Smart Contracts
All these entities are consolidated under a unified brand, SmartPath, which leverages Norenwake Smart Contracts as a pioneering blockchain technology use case in education. This approach streamlines operations and enhances transparency and efficiency, setting a new standard in educational excellence. The beauty and uniqueness of SmartPath lie in the coordinated efforts of teachers and educators, parents, schools, and government, all united in their trust in blockchain technology. This collaborative model empowers parents and children, fostering a more integrated and supportive educational ecosystem.
SEELS Co., Ltd. Awards
• 2011 - Akira Foundation, Startup fund
• 2012 - World in Asia/World in Tohoku (Investee)
• Michinoku Kigyo (Cabinet Office In-Charge with Tohoku Reconstruction)
• 2013 - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Social Business Development)
• 2017 - Social Venture Partner (SVP Tokyo)
• 2019 - Top 50 Organizations in Education, Global Forum in Education and Learning (GFEL), Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai, UAE December 19, 2019
• 2020 - 2021: Cesar V. Santoyo was voted as one of the Top 100 Leaders in Education at the Global Forum for Education and Learning (GFEL) conference held at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, USA, on June 23, 2021.
SEELS Co. Ltd. Profile
• Business Registration: Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau
• Date of Business Registration: May 18, 2011
• Company Registration Number: 0111-01-059947
• Paid Capital: 8,050,000 Yen
• Representative Director: Santoyo Cesar Victolero
• Board Members: Solo Director
• Registered Business Address: 169-0051 Tokyo, Shinjuku, Nishlwaseda 2-3-18, Japan Christian Center