Harare is becoming one of the best places to build a startup, but most of the early-stage entrepreneurs we speak to aren't aware of the local tech resources that are available to help them.
With applications for the Zimbabwe Founder Institute now open, we're excited to release the Zimbabwe Startup Resource Guide, which is currently in Draft v1 below! It was developed by the Zimbabwe Founder Institute and local leaders: Calvin Rupango (Investment Associate , Ajim Capital), Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. (Co-founder, techbuild.africa), Geraldine Mupandanyama (Managing Partner, Darena Ventures), TanatswaMichael Mukwesha (Founder & CEO, TABEM MEDIA)
This is just a draft, and while we spent many hours on this research, more input is needed. Please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document to help us complete the list. There are definitely omissions on this current version.
Are you looking to build a startup in Zimbabwe? Then apply to the Zimbabwe Founder Institute today!
Startup Stages
There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.
1. Idea Stage
This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.
A. Inspire
- Harare Startup Media: Centralized local information, listings, and news. (i.e. startup blogs/ publications/ lists/ FB groups/ newsletters)
- Inspirational Harare Startup Events: Open, inclusive startup events that often focus on ideation. (i.e. Startup Weekend, idea fairs, and inspirational meetups)
B. Educate
- Best Practices: Beginner knowledge-sharing tech events. (i.e. beginner events that serve to educate more than inspire).
- Training & Feedback: Skill & Idea development events and startup bootcamps for entrepeneurs. (Includes comprehensive training programs, like Founder Institute, General Assembly, Lean Startup Machine, code camps, etc)
- Founder Institute
- GDG Harare
- Harare .NET Software Engineers
- Harare WordPress Meetup
- Impact Hub Harare Coding Bootcamp
- Lindnet Institute Of Technology
- Meta Developer Circle Harare
- OWASP Harare Chapter
- PyData Harare
- PyLadies Harare
- SheCodes
- Startup Huddle Harare
- Zimbabwe Network Operators Group - ZimNOG
C. Validate
- Team Formation: Events for Finding Co-founders in Harare. (i.e. tech networking events or other resources that facilitate early-stage recruitment and cofounder matching)
- Build First Product: Hackathons & product events in Harare.
2. Launch Stage
In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.
A. Start
- Establish: Harare law firms & banks for startups
- Absolom Attorneys
- Agribank
- BancABC Zimbabwe
- BMatanga IP Attorneys
- CBZ Bank
- Ecobank
- Empower Bank
- FBC Bank
- First Capital Bank
- Gill, Godlonton & Gerrans
- Honey & Blanckenberg
- MawereSibanda Commercial Lawyers
- Muvingi and Mugadza Legal Practitioners
- NMB Bank
- Stanbic Bank
- Standard Chartered
- Steward Bank
- ZB Bank
- Zimbabwe Women's Microfinance Bank
- Harare Workspaces: Co-working and flexible workspaces for startups in Harare.
B. Develop
- Formalize: Harare accounting, development and HR tools for early-stage startups.
- Harare Incubators: Groups that prepare companies for seed investment and provide advanced mentorship. (i.e. advanced knowledge sharing, later stage events and resources)
C. Launch
- Harare Seed Accelerators: Seed funding mentor programs (Techstars-style programs that provide funding)
- Pitch & Demo Events: Tech events that showcase Harare startups for investment.
3. Growth Stage
Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.
A. Recognition
- Harare Investor Networking: Events and groups that connect professional investors with founders.
- Major Media: Mainstream local business press that often showcase local startups.
B. Funding
- Harare Angel Investors: Seed-stage investors and micro-vcs.
- Harare Venture Capitalists: Series A and beyond
C. Growth
- Infrastructure: Office space, HR, local business insurance. (i.e. office space/ HR/ insurance providers for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
- Expansion: Harare Growth accelerators and consultants. (i.e. programs and business consultants for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
4. Harare Startup Success Stories
Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.
Supporters
To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.
1. Harare Startup Leaders
Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies.
- Calvin Rupango
- Geraldine Mupandanyama
- John-Paul Matenga
- Kudzanai Vere
- Pedzisai Chimbwanda
- Ryan Katayi
- Tanatswa Michael Mukwesha
2. Harare Government Startup Resources
Public organizations that facilitate local economic development
- Ministry of Industry and Commerce
- Zimbabwe Investment & Development Agency
- Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce
3. Talent
Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.
- Local Harare Tech Universities (universities with prominent technical or business programs)
- Harare Tech Employers
Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and leave us your thoughts on the Harare Canvas on this collaborative Google document (This is just a draft, and more input is needed!)
