In a world where constant innovation and adaptability are crucial, startups have emerged as powerful agents of change. In this article, we shine a spotlight on the top ten startups that have embraced the Value Creation Challenge under four key pillars: sustainability, emerging technology, fintech, and creative industries. These startups have demonstrated their innovative prowess, resilience, and dedication to driving meaningful impact in their respective fields.
Emerging Tech
The Emerging Technology pillar focuses on innovative and cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, big data, cybersecurity, robotics, and virtual reality (VR). Within this pillar, the following businesses harness the power of these emerging technologies to enhance their core functionality.
Dawa Health
Dawa Health is an AI-powered hybrid mobile clinic that is revolutionizing access to maternal and child health through its community-based health agents, including Traditional Birth Attendants, Nurse Aides, and community health workers. Through the DawaMom platform, expectant and nursing mothers can receive remote maternal and child health care via an NLP-powered WhatsApp bot, a smartphone app, and a web-mobile app. The platform also enables community-based health workers to onboard, triage, and support patients, providing them with the ability to schedule appointments, receive reminders, and access their medical records. A key aspect of the platform is equipping skilled health workers, such as nurse aides, clinical officers, and midwives, with point-of-care technology such as AI-powered ultrasound scans, high-risk stratification tools, fetoscopes, Hb monitors, and BP monitors. This enables them to promptly identify high-risk patients and refer them for early intervention, resulting in improved patient management and better maternal and child outcomes. By leveraging technology, community engagement, and the expertise of healthcare providers, Dawa Health is dedicated to significantly enhancing maternal and child outcomes. The organization’s commitment to early identification of high-risk patients and appropriate referrals aims to address potential complications promptly and provide better management for mothers and children, ultimately reducing maternal and child mortality rates and improving overall well-being.
Farmbuzz Agriculture Solutions
Farmbuzz Agriculture Solutions is an integrated agriculture technology company based in Zimbabwe that is dedicated to promoting smart farming practices. Their innovative approach to the agricultural sector includes creating and developing advanced technologies that empower farmers to improve the quality and quantity of their crops while reducing their environmental impact. Through their precision agriculture tools such as drones, smart farm management systems, and soil monitoring and testing devices, Farmbuzz provides farmers with the means to optimize crop yields, minimize waste, and effectively manage water consumption. Their commitment to revolutionizing the agricultural sector through technology, coupled with their emphasis on sustainability, positions Farmbuzz as a trailblazer in the industry, reshaping the agricultural landscape in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Flying Labs
Zimbabwe Flying Labs stands as a pioneering locally-led technology hub focused on the advancement of drones and robotics. They are objective about facilitating knowledge exchange, networking, and skills development in the field of drones and robotics. Serving as the country’s chapter of the esteemed FLYING LABS NETWORK, which operates in over 40 countries, Zimbabwe Flying Labs focuses on building local capacity in technology and developing innovative solutions for the future of work. Their engaging drone demos and learning events aim to introduce various stakeholders to the valuable impact drones can have on improving work efficiency and productivity.
Sustainability Pillar
Under the sustainability pillar, the challenge sought out innovative businesses and ideas that address the pressing issue of climate change. The following startups have emerged as part of the top ten representing this pillar, demonstrating their dedication to combating the effects of climate change.
Cleanup Zimbabwe
At Cleanup Zimbabwe, they are dedicated to delivering reliable, consistent, and innovative waste management solutions that prioritize the protection of communities and the environment. Offering a wide range of services, including weekly refuse removals, recycling options, garden waste removals, and bulk once-off collections, they cater to both residential and commercial clients, including restaurants and embassies. With a strong presence in the industry, Cleanup Zimbabwe boasts a significant clientele of over 180 major corporate customers from various sectors, including construction and hospitality. Their operations extend to more than 52 suburbs in the Harare area.
Zambezi Ark Technologies (Zartech)
Zambezi Ark Technologies (Zartech) is a youth-led startup focused on improving access to sustainable and reliable lighting solutions. They have developed two innovative products to achieve this goal. The first solution is an off-grid solar-powered lighting system, which utilizes a completely DC LED lighting design, eliminating the need for inverters and LED drivers. Their second offering is the Chigubhu Lantern, a solar-powered lantern constructed from recycled LED lighting electronic waste housed in repurposed plastic bottles. Additionally, Zartech provides training to students, empowering them to create their own lights using discarded materials.
Mummoch Enterprises
They specialize in the design and printing of self-adhesive labels for the FMCG and other sectors, utilizing state-of-the-art Flexo-printing technology. With a monthly production volume of 5 million labels, they have the capacity to fulfill large-scale orders. Their mission is to elevate product quality by creating visually appealing, eye-catching self-adhesive labels. With their extensive industry knowledge and expertise, they strive to unlock the full potential of their clients’ products.
Fintech
At its core, fintech is utilized to help companies, business owners, and consumers better manage their financial operations, processes, and lives by utilizing specialized software and algorithms that are used on computers and, increasingly, smartphones. The following startups are in the business of tackling financial issues using technology.
Tax Pal Zimbabwe (Pvt)Ltd
Tax Pal Zimbabwe (Pvt)Ltd, a legally registered private company in Zimbabwe, is a leading provider of online tax consulting services. With their innovative software, Tax Pal Zimbabwe offers businesses a seamless and hassle-free consulting experience, backed by their commitment to excellence and expertise in navigating the ever-changing tax landscape. Registered with the Department of Intellectual Property of Zimbabwe, Tax Pal Zimbabwe demonstrates its dedication to delivering accurate and reliable tax solutions while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
Save More Tomorrow (SMarT) Wealth
Save More Tomorrow (SMarT) Wealth is a web-based platform that allows people to keep track of their wealth over time. We make saving exciting and something more people will do, by tracking how their wealth grows over time.
The actual counting, tabulating, and tracking give people the encouragement to keep saving because it keeps them involved with their money. This nudges you to put your money to work for you. By working with your money, the desire to save and invest increases. Throw in some goal-based financial planning, the next stop is wealth the SMarT Wealth way. We help you count it and make it count.
Creative Industries
The Creative Industry is based on individual creativity, skill, and talent. Nyasha Textiles and Lifeline Publishing operate in fashion, and literature respectively under the creative industry.
Nyasha Textiles Studio
Founded in July 2022, Nyasha Textiles Studio specializes in providing bespoke design services and products to a diverse clientele, including artists, interior designers, industrial designers, architects, clothiers, and individuals seeking custom-made fabrics. With an emphasis on both aesthetics and sustainability, they predominantly work with natural fibers such as cotton, silk, linen, merino wool, alpaca, mohair, and cashmere, aiming to create fabrics that not only look and feel exceptional but also promote a more environmentally conscious approach.
Lifeline Publishing
Lifeline Publishing House is dedicated to empowering self-publishers to bring their literary works to life. With a strong focus on quality, global distribution, and international public relations, they offer comprehensive services that guide authors through the entire publishing process. Lifeline Publishing House ensures that every aspect of the book creation process is taken care of by providing self-publishers in Zimbabwe with the necessary tools, resources, and support to publish high-quality books and promote them on a global scale. They provide personalized services to cater to each client’s unique publishing requirements. The company strives to get Zimbabwean stories on multiple international platforms. Because they believe that every writer deserves the opportunity to share their voice and connect with diverse audiences, Lifeline Publishing House strives to create a publishing ecosystem that fosters creativity, inclusion, and literary excellence.
In conclusion, these top ten startups are shaping the future through their unwavering dedication to values-driven entrepreneurship. Through their innovative solutions, they are tackling some of the greatest challenges of our time and leaving a lasting impact on their industries and society as a whole. They are proof that creating value extends beyond monetary gains and holds the potential to drive positive change and make our world a better place for everyone.
