In a world where technology continues to shape industries and drive innovation, empowering women to thrive in the digital economy is crucial. Recognizing this need, The Women and Technology Platform by The Launchpad Tanzania introduced the SheTech Incubator and Accelerator Program – a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women entrepreneurs in Tanzania's digital landscape. Let's take a closer look at the success stories emerging from the program's first cohort.
Program Overview
SheTech Incubator and Accelerator program aspired to bridge the gender gap in the technology industry by fostering a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. It emphasized innovation, mentorship, and resource accessibility to empower women-led startups and provide them with a robust foundation for success. It curated a series of workshops encompassing critical topics such as product development, financial planning, marketing strategies, and investor readiness. Personalized mentorship sessions complemented these workshops.
The program facilitated networking opportunities, enabling startups to forge collabora- tions, partnerships, and synergies within the ecosystem. Building strong networks with industry players, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs expanded opportunities for growth and learning. For instance, some participants showcased their progress through The Women and Digital Convention in October 06 2023, and recently The Tanzania Women and Technology Conference in March 06 2024 whereby the Minister of Community Develop- ment, Gender,Women and special groups Dr. Dorothy Gwajima as well as the US Ambassador to Tanzania Dr. Michael Battle Sr. ,both facilitated by The Launchpad Tanzania
Meet the Fellows
Aisha Kikari
Aisha's innovative E-Market platform, SmarKet, is revolutionizing online shopping through cutting-edge AR technology. By integrating virtual product experiences, she's enhancing consumer engagement and redefining the digital shopping experience. With SmarKet, users can visualize products in real-time, enhancing their purchasing decisions and overall shopping experience.
Neema Mfuru
Neema's educational technology platform, Kibuti-BOT, utilizes artificial intelligence to provide quality education via SMS-based learning. Her commitment to accessibility and inclusivity is bridging educational gaps and empower- ing diverse communities. Kibuti-BOT delivers personalized learning content tailored to individual students' needs, ensuring effective learning outcomes for all.
Happiness Mligo
Happiness developed an IoT solution with a mobile and web application enabling automatic chicken feeding, promoting efficiency and sustainability in poultry farming. The Smart Chicken Feeding System optimizes feeding schedules based on chicken behavior and nutritional requirements, reducing waste and improving farm productivity.
Lilian Makulu
Lilian's Garage Popote app transforms vehicle maintenance by facilitating the buying and selling of spare parts and offering real-time emergency assistance. Her vision is revolutionizing automotive solutions with eco-friendly practices. Garage Popote promotes the reuse of auto spare parts, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices within the automotive industry.
Tedy John
Tedy's Genge Popote app connects small-scale women vegetable farmers with buyers, empowering them with a reliable platform to conduct business more efficiently in the digital era. Genge Popote streamlines the selling process, providing farmers with access to a wider market and enabling them to manage their businesses more effectively.
Fatmah Suleyman
Fatmah's Swahili Learning Management System (LMS), Fasumi, provides language learning services and document translations, creating job opportunities and improving livelihoods for young women. Fasumi offers interactive language lessons and translation services, catering to diverse learning needs and empowering individuals to communicate effectively in Swahili.
Fatuma Amour
Fatuma's Ujuzi Hub equips individuals with computer skills to enhance their working environment, empowering them to thrive in both personal and professional capacities. Ujuzi Hub offers comprehensive computer training programs, covering essential skills such as software usage, internet navigation, and digital literacy, empowering participants to excel in the digital era.
Tusesheye Enock Mboya
Tusesheye Enock is the founder of Jenga App, a construc- tion marketplace that connects constructors and clients. The app promotes easy access to construction services for clients and enables constructors to secure project deals efficiently. Jenga App streamlines the construction procurement process, facilitating collaboration and growth within the construction industry.
The SheTech Incubator and Accelerator Program exemplify the power of gender-in- clusive initiatives in driving innovation and fostering entrepreneurship. As we celebrate the success of the first cohort, we look forward to continuing our journey of empowering women entrepreneurs and building a more inclusive digital economy in Tanzania.
Stay tuned for more updates and success stories from The Launchpad Tanzania's transformative programs!
September, 2024READ MOREDOWNLOAD