Interview with Joel Epalanga | CEO and Co-founder | KiandaHub | A technology and innovation hub that provides a co-working space adequate for tech based startups to grow faster.

KiandaHub is a technology and innovation hub that provides a co-working space adequate for tech based startups to grow faster. Developers, creative minds and entrepreneurs have the chance to meet, co-create and collaborate with like-minded individuals to develop innovative products or services.

At KiandaHub, entrepreneurs benefit from consulting services and mentorship spanning from help in preparing their business models to developing a successful pitch and much more. KiandaHub also organises a series of regular events, providing the entrepreneurship community with opportunities to learn and interact with the different actors of the Angolan and International startup ecosystem.

KiandaHub’s vision is to create and promote a technology entrepreneurship and innovation culture in Angola.

First of all, kindly tell us something about yourself? (things like your hobbies, educational background, interests etc.)

- I am Joel Epalanga, CEO and Co-founder at KiandaHub, an old geeky turned into a manager, passionate about entrepreneurship, education, innovation and almost anything that involves creativity. A truly enthusiast for social and community development, concerned about making the world a better place by contributing my two cents with the endeavors I pursue on a daily basis. I consider myself as one that is always keen to be part of the solution and not the problem.

Educationwise, I hold a degree (Bachelors of Technology — BTECH) from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Information Technology, specialized in Software development and have studied IT since grade 9th until University.

As part of my volunteering activities, I am part of the core team organizing TEDxLuanda (volunteer since 2012) and very often I am invited to be a speaker at various events to tell our story as well as discuss entrepreneurship, startups and project management.

My hobbies, range from playing soccer, watching TV (movies, ted talks, sci-tech series), reading & browsing the web for new trends in diverse domains of my interest — technology, startups, innovation, education, management, etc.

What was your career before KiandaHub was founded?

- I was at the time a Project Manager & Head of the Software Development at a local Telco company.

Can you tell me a little more about KiandaHub?

- Sure. KiandaHub was brought up as the first local tech hub in the country back in February 2015 by a group of friends we believes in the power of the community and on how effective collaboration could lead to more products and services being delivered by the community to the community. At the time (in 2013), when we first initiated the movement for tech startups and entrepreneurship, we did not have any space where we could all meet, collaborate and that granted the minimum infrastructure and basics services required to support any tech related initiative — a generous desk to sit, power, internet access and the community all in a unique place. We brought the concept of networking and community to live, hence today although new players have entered the market, we are still the ones closer to the root of the community as we believe that is where the real struggle is and chances are that innovation comes from there.

Who is/are part of building/founding it?

- Part of founding team are: Mauro Yange, Dizando Norton and I (Joel Epalanga).

• Mauro Yange is a Co-Founder and Head of Marketing and Community;
• Dizando Norton Co-Founder and Head of Research, Innovation & Services;
• Myself as CEO & Co-Founder, deal with general management (Sales, Finances, Partnerships, etc).

Although not part of the actual founding team, we also have on board Firmino Changani as our CTO and also Alfredo Kayesse, who recently joined as trainee in Design & Social Media.

What was technically the most challenging part?

- The most difficult and challenging part to startup KiandaHub was the venue hoping. The reason because, as from what we were reading the location was a critical factor for the success of a tech hub. We had a dilemma between what we were reading and what actually we were able to pursue with the limited resources we had.

However like they said, sometimes you have to ship it. Lean but ship it! We did that, found a previously nails saloon, negotiated it and closed the deal. Managed to down the price from 400 to 200 USD/month, and that is where we do all the magic happens (with or without problems).

How did you get the funding? Is it just from your funds? or you have partners?

- I have used my savings, my other co-founder Mauro added from his savings too. I have borrowed some money from my father, to do some repairs on the space which I expect to pay him back in the next 2 years.

How was your KiandaHub doing? How many startups do you have right now?

- Right now, we have more that 30 Startups registered which do not necessarily are renting our space yet but we do follow and provide guidance and support on demand.

-Recently we have invested in the first startup and we are now, working with them ensure that they get accelerated and become profitable since day one.

Can you tell me something about the most successful startup you have?

-So far, after one year of operations, since we did not have focus on the coworking in the last year, we will not be able to provide such metric. However, can say that at least 3 to 4 Startups that got selected are now incubated into the government run Tech incubator were being followed and supported by KiandaHub since the early begginings.

How do you handle stress like during the times that you need to meet deadlines, some unexpected problems, technical issues etc.?

- I am that person that for sure right in my cv that I can handle pressure well. Under difficults situations as the ones mentioned above, I use my experience in order to get the best resulted delivered by the team, in spite of the pressure. Sometimes we do not sleep to deliver, even if we need to quickly rotate in short shifts, as long as the problem gets solved or the deadline is met.

What are your plans in the future? Do you vision to introduce KiandaHub worldwide?

- Yes we do. But in the meantime, we would like to stabilize ourselves in the market, expand our services offer, improve our coworking Space and them expand within the country.

Once that is accomplished, we might pursue expanding KiandaHub worldwide — as we believe that besides the business behind KiandaHub we also have a social responsibility with the country to stimulate and create opportunities for tech startups to emerge and become great companies in the country and worldwide.

In one word, how would you describe KiandaHub?

- Unique.

In one sentence, how would you market KiandaHub to other potential investors?

-KiandaHub technology and innovation space providing adequate environment for tech based startups to grow

faster. Developers, creative minds and entrepreneurs have the chance to meet, co-create and collaborate with like minded individuals to develop innovative products or services.

Originally published at www.millionrising.com.