By STYLE Correspondent
An organisation that supports, connects and brings together start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperation and organisations that are connected to the European Union – African market is challenging local entrepreneurs to innovate and take up opportunities being presented by the digital space.
Afrolynk recently held an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Symposium in Harare dubbed #NovemberMeetUp#, which was attended by industry players, creative minds, young entrepreneurs and digital enthusiasts.
Speaking at the event, Loveness Nhleya, a digital marketing consultant, spoke at length about how entrepreneurs should take advantage of the digital space to innovate.
“The digital space has vast opportunities and the results of the digital economy are business connecting online despite their geographical locations and deals being brokered over the internet,” said Nhleya.
The digital marketing consultant also said there was a need for entrepreneurs to immensely collaborate.
“The biggest strength in business these days are collaborations,” she said.
The delegates at the meeting also got profound inspiration on building dreams and realising opportunities from Farai Jokonya who is a motivational speaker with Success Motivational Institute.
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“If you don’t have a dream you will work for someone’s dream, a goal must be attainable. The tourism and food industries are under-utilised and you need to seize these opportunities,” said Jokonya.
The young motivational speaker gave examples of innovations by telecommunications mogul Strive Masiyiwa, Securico’s Devine Ndhlukula and Innscor which he said should be emulated.
Innovative youth entrepreneurs are set to benefit from a fund that Afrolynk, according to its ecosystems manager Kumbirai Chipadza.
“I am happy to announce that next year we will be rolling out a fund that we have secured from AfDB which if you are enterprising you will benefit from,” said Chipadza.
One of the highlights of the symposium was the pitch session of various young entrepreneurs. These included Blessing Chidura of Passion Press who spoke about how he makes tailor-made products after consultation with customers. He also does environmental campaigns in high-density suburbs where he involves young unemployed youths.
An interesting start-up called Campus Lifestyle also stole the limelight with its innovation meant to ease challenges affecting tertiary institutions students. The start-up is a brainchild of Harare Polytechnic IT graduate George Zinyengere and his friend Jasper Kuri.
In an interview after the symposium, coordinator of the event, Tofara Chokera was overwhelmed with the number of young entrepreneurs who turned up for the event and encouraged them to take up Afolynk’s online courses to hone their entrepreneurship skills.
