Behind the Ape logo

Social entrepreneurship

Our Philosophy

It is our conviction that innovation and social engagement are not at odds. Through a combination of crowdfunding and intelligent solutions to the challenges of our times, we promote both community engagement and startup culture in Berlin.

“We rise by lifting others.”

-Robert Ingersoll

the vision

What we do

Kanzi is a Berlin-based social startup connecting language learning with rap music. We develop off- and online workshop-based solutions for German language learners across the world. Each of our self-produced rap songs is specifically tailored to suit our students’ linguistic as well as cultural learning needs. Our innovative pedagogical techniques are intrinsically playful and motivating, allowing us to meet learners in their own life world.

Our Heads

Kofi Darkwa - CEO & Founder

Bremen-born Kofi Darkwa has lived in his chosen home Berlin since 2016. After high school, where he met Kanzi Co-Founder Lennart Jäkel, he moved to Paris. He went on to study cultural studies in Leipzig, philosophy and linguistics in Bologna (Italy), and political sciences in Valencia (Spain). He believes that music and language are the primary connecting factors bringing people together.

Ethics before profit

Using the Potential

Our Team

We work in an interdisciplinary team of linguists, cultural scholars, educators, media designers, project developers, and promoters. Our workshops are developed in cooperation with local rap artists and producers.

Eye-to-eye

Our organizational culture prizes a respectful, supportive, and inspiring working atmosphere. We deliberately avoid hierarchies and meet all our coworkers, supporters, cooperation partners, and clients at eye level.

“Waiting for change without doing anything yourself is like waiting for a boat at a train station.”

Collaborate

We want U

You like what we do and want to become a part of it? You have experience with teaching, fundraising, video production, web development or social media? We are constantly on the lookout for fellow campaigners, who share our vision and bring good ideas to the table!