Latest news with #BusinessHeroes
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Resilience – The Journey of a Determined Entrepreneur Alexander Odhiambo's Path to Success in Africa's Business Heroes Competition
In entrepreneurship, resilience usually makes the difference between winning and losing. Alexander Odhiambo, who co-founded and leads Solutech Limited, exemplifies this spirit. His experience in the Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) ( Prize competition shows the resolve that drives successful business owners. Alexander tried twice to reach the Top 10 group. His persistence finally paid off when he claimed the 2nd Runner-Up spot in the 2024 Grand Finale, winning US$150,000. ABH is the Jack Ma Foundation's flagship philanthropic program in Africa to support entrepreneurs. Its mission is to spotlight and grow local talent who are creating a positive impact in their communities and beyond and to inspire a movement of African entrepreneurship. Over ten years, the program will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and provide grant funding, training programs and broader support for the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lessons from Alexander's ABH Journey Alexander's ABH journey teaches us about not giving up. Many business owners might quit after one failure, but he saw each experience as a chance to learn. His initial attempts got him to the Top 50 and then the Top 20, but he didn't let these stops hold him back. Instead, he improved his business plan and how he spoke about it, and he became a much stronger and more determined leader. He delivered motivational talks in Kigali, Rwanda, and later in Cairo, Egypt. He took every "no" as a lesson, trying again each year with new energy and determination. When he stood on the big stage at the 2024 ABH finale, it proved he was right – not just about his business but about believing in keeping at it and always getting better. Commenting on his achievement, Alexander says, "Resilience is not just about trying again – it's about learning, adapting and growing stronger with every challenge. My journey with ABH has proven that perseverance and continuous improvement are the true keys to success." A Career Built on Resilience Alexander's resilience didn't start with ABH. His entrepreneurial path began years earlier with several ventures that put his ability to handle challenges to the test. As a new university graduate, he tried out different business ideas, and each experience shaped his view on what it takes to succeed. To him, resilience isn't about trying again; it's about adapting, learning, and seeing failures as stepping stones instead of setbacks. His take on failure is straightforward: Every mistake teaches you something, and every challenge gives you a chance to grow. This outlook has helped him turn challenges into opportunities for growth, shaping him into the business leader he is today. Solutech Limited: Growing Through Determination At the core of Alexander's journey is Solutech Limited, a company he co-founded with the dream of transforming enterprise software solutions in Africa. Back in 2014, the rapid growth of Kenyan manufacturers and distributors highlighted some serious challenges - like a lack of field visibility, operational hiccups and poor decision-making. These issues meant that many companies were struggling to grow, often seeing little to no progress, and facing low employee productivity. Recognising this gap in the market, the founders of Solutech - Alexander Odhiambo, Mutie Mule, Rayyidh Bayusuf and Jinal Savla - set out to make a difference. They formed an all-in-one SFA software, known as Solutech SAT, designed to support small, medium and large manufacturing and distribution companies, as well as sales and marketing agencies across Africa. Resilience has been a key ingredient in the company's success story. From building partnerships to scaling operations and fine-tuning its product offerings, perseverance has finally paid off. The US$150,000 prize from ABH will elevate Solutech into its next growth phase, enabling the company to broaden its reach, upgrade its technology and further strengthen its position in the market. Alexander's Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs Looking back on his journey, Alexander shares some valuable insights for fellow entrepreneurs: Firstly, perseverance is essential. Remember, success doesn't happen overnight. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, see them as chances to learn and grow. Secondly, every experience is a learning opportunity. Whether you face a failed pitch or a business deal that didn't go your way, there's always something valuable to take away from it. Also, make the most of platforms like ABH. They aren't about securing funding; they also provide helpful networking opportunities, mentorship and exposure that can help take your business to new heights. Build a solid team, because no entrepreneur achieves success in isolation. Having the right people around you can make a world of difference. Finally, don't underestimate the power of networking and mentorship. The right connections can unlock doors that sheer persistence might not be able to. 2025 ABH Applications Are Now Open African entrepreneurs who want to enter the 2025 edition of the competition and stand a chance to win a share of US$1.5 million can do so at Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa's Business Heroes (ABH).
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sprints organized the second edition of 'TechShift 2025' to emphasize artificial intelligence and innovation
In a move that reinforces its position as one of the leading companies in educational technology, Sprints organized the second edition of the 'TechShift Summit 2025' at the Greek Campus of the American University in Downtown Cairo. The summit follows the great success of the first edition, aiming to bridge the gap between the needs of businesses and the skills available in the job market, with a focus on developing emerging talents and enhancing the capabilities of recent graduates to compete both locally and internationally. Wide Participation and Engagement from Tech Leaders The event saw the attendance of more than 4,000 participants, including university students and recent graduates, along with a group of prominent technology leaders and experts, enriching the discussions and enhancing the role of tech talent in shaping the future of technology globally. Over 130 Discussions and 50 Workshops The summit featured more than 130 discussion sessions and 50 workshops, with participation from 150 speakers who are top specialists in the technology sector, including Dr. Ayman Farid – Assistant Minister of Higher Education, and Dr. Heba Saleh – Head of the Information Technology Institute. The summit also witnessed wide participation from companies and government entities, including the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), which dedicated a booth to showcase its programs supporting students and graduates, in addition to Banque Misr and several leading institutions. Launch of HiRemoters Platform: New Opportunities for Freelancing in AI. As part of its efforts to enhance remote work opportunities and empower youth to earn in foreign currency, Engineer Ayman Bazara, the founder and CEO of Sprints, announced the development of the HiRemoters platform, which will provide opportunities for Egyptian tech talents to work in multiple international markets. Bazara explained that the platform will offer applicants a comprehensive assessment phase, followed by intensive training programs to ensure their readiness to work with global companies. "Thanks to its ambitious initiatives, Sprints reinforces its position as a driving force in the field of educational technology and digital innovation, committed to supporting young talents and preparing them to compete in global markets." Engineer Ayman Bazara, the founder and CEO of Sprints highlighted. Sprints: Global Achievements and Wide Impact in the Tech Sector Sprints continues its successes in developing digital skills, having grduated thousands of technology specialists who secured outstanding jobs in global companies. The company has also received several prestigious awards, including: - One of the top 3 startups in Africa – Africa's Business Heroes competition launched by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba. - One of the most innovative 200 startups globally – GSV Cup competition. - Among the top 50 edtech startups worldwide – HolonIQ ranking. - Best startup in North Africa – Huawei's startup competition.
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sprints organizes the second edition of 'TechShift 2025'
Cairo: In a move that reinforces its position as one of the leading companies in educational technology, Sprints organized the second edition of the 'TechShift Summit 2025' at the Greek Campus of the American University in Downtown Cairo. The summit follows the great success of the first edition, aiming to bridge the gap between the needs of businesses and the skills available in the job market, with a focus on developing emerging talents and enhancing the capabilities of recent graduates to compete both locally and internationally. Wide Participation and Engagement from Tech Leaders The event saw the attendance of more than 4,000 participants, including university students and recent graduates, along with a group of prominent technology leaders and experts, enriching the discussions and enhancing the role of tech talent in shaping the future of technology globally. Over 130 Discussions and 50 Workshops The summit featured more than 130 discussion sessions and 50 workshops, with participation from 150 speakers who are top specialists in the technology sector, including Dr. Ayman Farid – Assistant Minister of Higher Education, and Dr. Heba Saleh – Head of the Information Technology Institute. The summit also witnessed wide participation from companies and government entities, including the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), which dedicated a booth to showcase its programs supporting students and graduates, in addition to Banque Misr and several leading institutions. Launch of HiRemoters Platform: New Opportunities for Freelancing in AI. As part of its efforts to enhance remote work opportunities and empower youth to earn in foreign currency, Engineer Ayman Bazara, the founder and CEO of Sprints, announced the development of the HiRemoters platform, which will provide opportunities for Egyptian tech talents to work in multiple international markets. Bazara explained that the platform will offer applicants a comprehensive assessment phase, followed by intensive training programs to ensure their readiness to work with global companies. "Thanks to its ambitious initiatives, Sprints reinforces its position as a driving force in the field of educational technology and digital innovation, committed to supporting young talents and preparing them to compete in global markets." Engineer Ayman Bazara, the founder and CEO of Sprints highlighted. *Sprints: Global Achievements and Wide Impact in the Tech Sector* Sprints continues its successes in developing digital skills, having graduated thousands of technology specialists who secured outstanding jobs in global companies. The company has also received several prestigious awards, including: - One of the top 3 startups in Africa – Africa's Business Heroes competition launched by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba. - One of the most innovative 200 startups globally – GSV Cup competition. - Among the top 50 edtech startups worldwide – HolonIQ ranking. - Best startup in North Africa – Huawei's startup competition.
