Six (6) startups completed the BongoHive Launch Accelerator 8th programme during Demo night which was hosted at Alliance Francaise on 6th December, 2018. The six start-ups pitched before an audience which included: Njavwa Mulwanda – Co-founder and Partner at Zenga Venture Fund, Charity Lumpa – Board Chairperson at ZANACO Plc, and Benjamin Katubiya – CEO and Founder of Buk Holding

The BongoHive Launch accelerator is a 6 month programme (a 3 months startup program + 3 months additional business support) developed for startups looking to gain traction and scale up.

Startups in the program share co-working space with other Launch startups, are matched with an industry mentor relevant to their startup, have access to one-on-one Legal Consultancy and regularly work with an in-house Accounting and Finance Lead.

“In line with our vision to work with great minds building viable solutions that change the world, BongoHive alumni not only excel locally but globally. The success demonstrated recently by AgriPredict and Safe Motherhood Alliance in winning the Slush Global Impact Accelerator in Finland, whilst competing against 35 startups from across the globe is a good sign that the program works.”, said Lukonga Lindunda, Co-founder and Executive Director at BongoHive.

Co-founder and Director of Entrepreneurship, Simunza Muyangana said, “It has been a pleasure to continue exploring with the business founders in this cohort, opportunities that address the needs and aspirations of the broader community. No one doubts that there are clear advantages for an equitable distribution of lighting and water. However, in addition to this we got to learn with the entrepreneurs that every community across the width of Zambia have desires that provide an opportunity to respond to with products and services – whether it is opening doors for talent, helping families make better health decisions, or providing hair accessories so we can all look amazing.”

The people’s choice award was awarded to Tafadwa Munzwa and Delbert Zifungo of Dawa, who won by 46% of the total votes.

The judges top three pitches of the night from third to first position were:Phat Media, Strutting investment and Mpower respectively. Mpower won top pitch for sustainability of the project and the immediate impact solar has to counteract the effects of power deficits. According to feedback from the judges,all the 6 start ups had brilliant ideas and were commended for their remarkable presentation skills.However,one of the judges urged all the six start-ups to conduct more research to better understand their markets.

The Launch Acceleration 8th Cohort start- ups:

Phat Media: Zambia’s first ‘woman focused’ Production and Talent Management Agency.

Category: Media

Founders: Munalula Lukonga and Viola Banda

Contact: facebook

Dawa: A company that was started by visionary youths with an idea to transform the health sector in Africa and globally at large.

Category: Health

Founders: Tafadzwa Kalisto Munzwa and Delbert E.Zilungo

Contact: facebook

Merci: Virgin hair company that retails hair in Lusaka and other parts of Zambia.

Category: Retail

Founder: Natasha Chibuye Maignant and Bwalya Namatama Lombe Contact: facebook

Bantu Blends: Manufactures and sell unique, healthy, affordable, African hair products.

Category: Personal Care/CosmeticsFounder: Mwansa Kawesha and Ygette Mwila

Contact: facebook

Strutting Investment Limited: Supplies packaged water that naturally contains the right proportion of minerals and other trace elements which give the body the right nutrients to promote general good health and overall well-being.

Category: Production

Founder: Shipo KapalaContact: facebook

Mpower: Ventures finances and distributes affordable solar systems to a market of 1.3 bn potential customers in emerging markets.

Category: SolarFounders: Jacob Anz and Sam Mbulo

Contact: website

More information about the BongoHive Launch Accelerator programme can be accessed here: http://bongohive.co.zm/launch