Dyslexia in education: International MBA Startup Labs

4 min read

School is challenging enough, but conditions like dyslexia in education can make the pursuit of knowledge that much harder. A group of International MBA students came together to leverage business strategy and innovation in a surprising way, making inroads into edtech to improve learning outcomes for differently-abled students around the world.

Read on to see how this innovative project for dyslexia in education is driving change—having been featured in a recent article by Poets & Quants.

Dyslexia in education: the real scoop

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects how people read, write and spell. It doesn’t reflect on an individual’s intelligence or intellect—students with dyslexia can excel in even the most rigorous environments. Instead, it alters how the brain processes written language and decodes spoken speech.

Recent studies show that globally, at least 10% of the population is dyslexic. Unfortunately, most will remain undiagnosed throughout their lives or receive a diagnosis too late to avoid the adverse academic and social effects. That’s one of the biggest challenges of this learning disorder.

In addition, few educators recognize or adequately handle what’s become the most prevalent learning disability worldwide. As it turns out, that student everyone assumed was “uninterested” or behind in their reading development might actually have been dyslexic. Early detection is key—and that’s what our student team set out to accomplish.

Challenges and solutions for dyslexia in education

You’re probably wondering why a group of business grads would be compelled to tackle this unique problem. Well, IE Business School is the place where forward-thinkers find real solutions to real problems—it has been for more than 50 years.

Our Labs make it easier for innovative students to make their impact. International MBA Labs allow program participants to build practical skills by working hands-on on personal ventures or projects for leading companies and institutions. The Labs fall under several categories, namely the Startup Lab, Tech Lab, Business Impact Lab and Social Impact Lab.

This dyslexia-focused project started out in the International MBA Startup Lab. It was the brainchild of Layth Fahoum, who then inspired three more students—Maria Alejandra Roa Diaz, Juan Camilo Silva and Daria Demina—to join in on the one-of-a-kind adventure of integrating artificial intelligence, education and wellbeing.

Lexy: Disrupting dyslexia diagnosis with AI 

Layth knows about the challenges of living and learning with dyslexia firsthand. So, when the opportunity arose to use his business skills in a meaningful way, he grabbed it with both hands. The best part was securing buy-in from his peers, who quickly became integral to the project. The result? Lexy, an AI-driven application set to transform how dyslexia is diagnosed and how academic institutions support dyslexic students.  

“Lexy’s mission is fueled by a profound commitment to revolutionizing the understanding and treatment of dyslexia,” the team states. It aims to solve the biggest challenge—late diagnosis—using powerful AI tools.

What’s more, the use of this tech has resulted in comprehensive personalization features, enabling the app to go one step further and provide tailored academic and professional advice. As a result, the team has created a solution that “not only improves educational outcomes, but also fosters greater inclusivity.”

Counting the wins with solutions for dyslexia in education

Undoubtedly, Lexy is a great idea with massive potential for several demographics. But how could the team turn it into a viable business? They had to grapple with this issue very early on as they struggled to identify the most effective go-to-market strategy. The big question was whether Lexy would work better under a B2B or B2C model. Ultimately, they opted to try their luck in the B2B-C market, taking advantage of an “already established” presence in this space. 

This turned out to be the right choice, as Lexy started receiving attention and accolades right out of the gate. They emerged in second place at the end of their Startup Lab experience, before being chosen to participate in the Venture Lab. After competing against 100 other teams, they placed in the top ten before winning the first prize and being named the Best MBA Team. “These milestones are a testament to the hard work, resilience and vision of everyone involved,” Layth explains.  

It’s all about the support

However, the biggest win is the guidance that helped the team make their dream a reality. From dedicated faculty and experts who were only accessible through the International MBA, these students received invaluable support every step of the way. “I’m deeply grateful to my team, mentors and the IE Business School community for this unforgettable journey,” Layth concludes, adding, “This is just the beginning, as I am excited to continue building Lexy and driving meaningful change in the world of dyslexia.”