Championing Innovation: Vodacom Tanzania’s 3rd Digital Accelerator Program Winners Announced.

On the 11th July 2024, Vodacom Tanzania concluded the third season of its Digital Accelerator Program with a Demo Day event. The event served to celebrate the impressive achievements of seven finalists who completed the three-month acceleration program in partnership with MassChallenge and Huawei.

The Vodacom Digital Accelerator (VDA) Program was started in 2019 by Vodacom Tanzania to support early-stage and growth-stage startups in Tanzania with disruptive products and services that have the potential to scale. This is done by leveraging global partnerships and expertise to provide the startups with invaluable resources, mentorship, and exposure.

As a VDA partner, MassChallenge’s mission is to equip bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change. MassChallenge connects startups, experts, corporations, and communities to grow and transform businesses and economies. MassChallenge works across sectors to drive a stronger future through collaborative innovation and support all founders whether they fit or break the traditional venture mold.

Huawei, also as a VDA partner, is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices and has 207,000 employees and operates in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. Huawei are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

This year’s event was held in conjunction with various ventures and accelerators that clearly demonstrates the growth, scope, and diversity of Tanzanian startups and showcased the promising future of Tanzania’s technology ecosystem. Therefore, the program caters to the specific needs of Tanzanian startups by providing access to tools and in-kind funding that will empower them to grow into profitable and revenue-generating businesses.

This year, the accelerator started with a cohort of an impressive 20 startups from which 7 promising finalists emerged being MITz Kits, Afya ya Mnyama, Mkanda Salama, Go Go App, SAB Biomanufacturers, Altitude X, and Makonda Renewable Tech. The 7 finalists then proceeded on an intensive 3 months of workshops, mentorship sessions, and most recently a learning tour in Shenzhen, China to experience cutting-edge technology and 5G networks that could spark new ideas and possibilities for Tanzania.

Vodacom Tanzania’s Managing Director, Philip Besiimire, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “Today, we celebrate innovation, hard work, and the bright future of Tanzanian startups. These seven startups have shown that solutions to local challenges lie within our youth, and we are proud to have been a part of their growth. I commend all the finalists and wish them well. The market is ready for your solutions; let’s go make a difference.”

He further emphasized Vodacom Tanzania’s commitment to supporting startups by providing access to local and international industry experts, training, mentorship, partner networks, and M-PESA services. A big focus for Vodacom Tanzania is to propositions that are inclusive and accessible to everyone including people with disabilities and ensuring that its innovations benefit all members of society whilst addressing the SDGs.

Having been empowered with international experience from their trip China and pitch rehearsals with US based MassChallenge, the 7 startups faced the judges and an audience in what were rigorous and exciting pitch sessions. At the end of it all, 3 startups featuring Rose Funja, the founder of AltituteX, Frank Mussa, Afya Lead Co-Founder and Lusekelo Nkuwi from GO GO App emerged as winners.

Frank Mussa, one of the winners and a co-founder at Afya Lead, said “From the beginning of our innovation journey, we faced many challenges, but with determination and the support of VDA mentorship, we built a strong business foundation. I am delighted to win this award and look forward to implementing what I’ve learned to bring positive change to my community.”

Furthermore, the three winners will have the opportunity to travel to the US in September 2024 to meet with mentors and potential investors to advance their startups, gaining valuable insights and support for their ventures.

Eric Rodriguez from MassChallenge noted, “It has been an honor to partner with Vodacom Tanzania for the Digital Accelerator Program. The dedication and talent of these startups are truly inspiring, and it was a great connecting them with local and international mentors to help guide them towards their startup goals. We are excited to see how these entrepreneurs will continue to innovate and drive positive change in their communities.”

Vodacom Tanzania’s Philip Besiimire concluded, “Tanzania’s innovation ecosystem is ripe for growth. This year alone, we received over 200 applications and managed to work with only 20 startups during the design sprint phase and later 7 finalists so you can see the hunger is out there.

I invite other corporates, investors, and ventures to explore the Tanzanian market. There are brilliant minds here that just need a boost. Remember, this is just the beginning. Keep innovating, pushing boundaries, and creating solutions that will shape the future of Tanzania.”