Eight2Five Innovation Hub is focused on creating a modern, professional, and energetic work environment to stimulate the creativity and productivity of innovative and entrepreneurial businesses and their teams. As they say, “behind every successful startup is an amazing team.” Realizing that startups are responsible for new innovation, and increased economic development, Eight2Five Innovation Hub developed a programme to capacitate them with skills and support them with opportunities to partner for growth and enhancement. Startups with high growth potential have an opportunity to enroll in an incubation program that will prepare them for launch and market entry.
The program provides startups with business skills and allows them to leverage Old Mutual’s networks and an innovative environment at Eight2Five Innovation Hub. Through this and the Value Creation Challenge, Eight2Five invests in and supports early-stage startups that have the potential to create sustainable impact and value for Old Mutual and the broader economy.
Four tech startups in education, finance, commerce, and construction were identified and engaged for the pilot programme. This has enhanced the ecosystem of startups, partners, and customers across different sectors. The four innovative ventures which will be launched on the 9th of June this week are E-Exam, Everything Zimbabwe, Taxpal, and Zezuru. During the launch, which will be streamed on the Eight2Five Innovation Hub Facebook page, the startups will present how their innovations are improving the lives of the Zimbabwean community locally and abroad. Commenting on the benefits of partnering with Eight2Five Innovation Hub and Old Mutual through this program, the Chief Operations Officer of Everything Zimbabwean, Moses Sibindi said:
“With a shared vision of solving real-world and business problems through technology, it is an honor to be associated with Eight2Five innovation Hub and Old Mutual. When we were first approached to be part of the launch, we believed we were not ready but decided to take up the opportunity anyway and learn through the process. We have since received advice and mentorship from the team at Eight2Five and we are looking forward to the launch this week. We are grateful for the opportunity and we believe that it will expose us to a larger market, potential partners, and most importantly feedback necessary to perfect our product. ”
This initiative reflects the hub’s commitment to innovation and collaboration. The hybrid event will be graced by the Honorable Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry, the Old Mutual Zimbabwe CEO, Samuel Matsekete, the CEO of the SME Association of Zimbabwe, representatives from ZIMRA and other stakeholders. To date, Eight2Five Innovation Hub has housed over 50 startups in different tech sectors including agritech, legaltech, and more. Following this launch, the hub has a series of programmes and opportunities lined up for startups across the continent. Interested parties are encouraged to subscribe to, soon to be launched, Eight2Five’s monthly newsletter for updates.
