Shiro & Silicon

Shiro & Silicon

Infrastructure for human potential.
Zero-touch funding for the "Last Mile" fees & tools that block access.

About Us

  • Contact

For Sponsors

For Students

© 2024 Shiro & Silicon.

About Us

Our Mission

To remove access barriers by directly connecting learners with sponsors who fund tools, software, and learning resources that unlock income and opportunity. We believe talent is evenly distributed, but access is not.

Our Vision

A generation of Ethiopians equipped with world-class tools and skills, fully integrated into the global digital economy.

Who We Are

"We are a dedicated team of individuals with diverse backgrounds who believe that sometimes, the only thing standing between a brilliant mind and a life-changing opportunity is a small 'last mile' push."

Transparency Protocol

How we ensure 100% of your impact reaches the student.

1. The "Zero-Touch" Rule

We do not touch your money. Wherever possible, we guide you to pay the vendor (ETS, Common App, AWS) directly. You are not donating to us; you are paying an invoice for a student.

Verified Receipts

Every funded request is closed with a screenshot of the payment confirmation shared with the sponsor.

Direct Connection

We encourage students to write a personal "Thank You" note to their sponsor after the service is unlocked.

Live Impact Metrics

We publicly track our cumulative impact on the home page.

100% of funds go to fees/tools

Vetting Standards

We don't fund potential. We fund readiness.

To ensure our sponsors' money is never wasted, every request must pass a strict 3-point check before going live.

1

Academic & Skill Verification

For Students: Must provide transcripts (GPA > 3.5 preferred).
For Builders: Must provide a GitHub repo or Portfolio link showing active work.

2

Readiness Proof (Crucial)

We do not fund "practice" attempts.
- If requesting TOEFL/SAT fees, you must upload a Mock Test Score showing you are ready to ace it.
- If requesting App Fees, your essays must be drafted.

3

The "Why Now" Factor

We prioritize urgent blocks. You must demonstrate how this specific fee is the *only* thing stopping you from the next step (e.g., "I have a contract offer, I just need Figma to start").

Find a Sponsor

We connect you with sponsors to fund your essential tools and fees.


Where will the sponsor go to pay for this?


Sponsor Pledges