Learn, Unlearn and Relearn
Written by Nice Charles Msangi
The article gives insights on Innoversity Startup School, a component of the Innoversity Project implemented by Sahara Consulting and funded by The France Embassy in Tanzania.
Alvin Toffler, the well-known futurist, made one of the more prescient observations. He wrote, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
As part of embracing its mission to build a stable innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship ecosystem, Sahara Ventures champions the project known as the Innoversity Project. Together with its implementing partners, Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, the Sokoine University of Agriculture, and the University of Iringa funded by The France Embassy in Tanzania
The project aims at building universities’ capacity to adopt innovations and entrepreneurship, and one of the activities incorporated to make the project have maximum impact is Stakeholders Engagement.
Stakeholders’ Engagement is aimed at understanding the project’s stakeholders, in this case, co-implementors.
The engagement also aimed at creating awareness about the project in the targeted group, and for that, the Startup school component was introduced in every engagement.
Innoversity Startup School
A startup school is a platform that aims at creating the next generation of Startup Founders. In this course, the platform connects aspiring founders with existing founders to network and learn from their experiences.
In the course of the engagement, Innoversity Project managed to pull 3 Startup school events;
The first was at the Sokoine University of Agriculture, held on the 18th of June 2022.
We were honored by the presence of Prof. Maulid W. Mwatawala, The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Esron D. Karimuribo-Director, Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Technology Transfer and Consultancy, Dr. Doreen Ndossi- Coordinator, Technology Transfer, and Consultancy and Mr.Pulle John Motfhabi-Dean of Students this showed the ultimate support
The platform was graced by Mr. Albany James, the co-founder, and C.E.O. of ANZISHA Ventures; and Mr. Mutalemwa Clemence, the founder, and CEO of OCApp; Ms. Joleta Joseph, the Founder and C.E.O. of Sanavita Company, and Dr. Nyambilila from S.U.A. the lead of STEPS Project.
The second event was at the University of Iringa, which was held on the 25th of June 2022.
We were honored by the presence of Dr. Bukaza Chachage, the Realtor, Ms. Celina Chibanda, Founder of Chi-Products; Wingred Nkoma, Founder and M.D. of Gangilonga Supermarket; and Emima Rubaba, Founder of Rubaba Tour Company and Craft Shop
The third Stop of creating a new generation of startup founders was the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and technology.
From the top management team, we had Prof. Anthony Mshandete, DVC of Academic, Research, and innovation, Dr.Ernest Mbega, Dean of LiSBE, and Prof.Hulda Shaidi Swai Centre leader at Creates Ace Tanzania, Prof. Charles Lugomela DVC of Planning, finance, and administration at the Innoversity startup school.
On the Startup school panel, we had Colins Kimaro, the CEO and Co-founder of Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha, and Ms. Turphina Matekere, the Innoversity Project Team lead.
Learnings from the Innoversity Startup School
Be Aggressive in your entrepreneurship journey;
“Entrepreneurship is the ability to take risks. You can not just sleep and dream 123 then abracadabra, and I have money, what happened in between” Prof. Maulid W. Mwatawala
Most entrepreneurs think as soon as they introduce their product, there will be good and positive responses; in reality, every way needs one to be aggressive to push the product.
“Tumezoea makaratasi sisi” . That is a response Mr. Mutalemwa Clemence first got we he introduced OCApp.The online platform helps university student’s to-do clearance online without physical visits to their respective departments in the university.
Embracing the art of embracing innovation takes time. Introducing a product to the market takes time for people to adopt, and always be ready for the risk ahead of you because you can’t give a customer a silly excuse.
Resilience is a key
When starting a business, one begins on a high note, and after not attaining the expected response, the morale also decreases. Passion, love, and inspiration fade after some time, but resilience keeps you moving.
There are five key things to consider if you want to start a business.
- Idea
The idea is the first step to creating a business. You can get ideas through the loopholes you can find everywhere you go.
“I got lucky to work with Jumia as Head of Marketing and Foodsasa was the results of the shortcomings of Jumia” Albany James
2. Team
“Kuna msemo unasema chagua vyote usikosee kuchagua kuoa and that exactly apply to business too, Don’t make a mistake choosing a partner to start a business” Mr. Albany James.
When partnering in the beginning, have an agreement. Also, while finding a team, choose people with skills you don’t have and are needed in your business.
3. Branding
Branding your business makes you stand out. Branding includes the color, packaging also customer care your company provides.
“Don’t sell yourself short even when you start and always give your best. Kuna mama mmoja ndo alikuwa kati ya customers wangu wa kwanza, alihisi bei yangu ni kubwa sana but the impact she got from the services alikuwa amazed na 90% of our customers nitu watu waliokuwa referred na huyo mama”
Make giving the best service your identity, and that will stand.
4. Execution
“Nenda nje kaulize watu, ivi wewe watoto wake wakinywa uji wa ulezi inakuaje? Au hii shida kwako inakutesa kiasi gan, you measure the intensity of the problem” Mr. Albany James
Part of executing your idea is knowing the intensity of the problem you are trying to solve. Knowing how you are going to get in the market, even knowing the possible price people, they are willing to pay
“Wakati mimi nimeanza biashara nlianza na kuuza viazi lishe, na strategy yangu ya kuuza ilikuwa ni kuwaambia umuhimu wa viazi lishe. Kwa nini mtu atumie viazi lishe na aachane na viazi vya kawaida, kwa nini Pro Vitamin A maize na sio mahindi ya kawaida, kwahiyo awareness creation intergratio ili fanya watu waelewe kwanini wa opt kununua kwangu na sio kwengine” Ms. Joleta Joseph
5. Timing
Know the best time to launch your product. Before launching the product, do research if it is a need in need at that time.
“Huwezi anzisha biashara ya miamvuli kipindi cha kiangazi, your business is more likely to fail” Adam Mbyallu
