Latest on $25 million tech fund: local innovators & startups are being invited to showcase their work

In the past few months, there has been a lot of talk about Zimbabwe’s National Innovation Fund  – a multi-million dollar resource pool funded by local mobile network operators that have been championed by the Ministry of ICT and is being managed by the telecoms regulator, POTRAZ.

It’s supposed to offer resources to local innovators and startups and is expected to create a Zimbabwean Silicon valley. The last information we had on it highlighted that work on its implementation was set to begin this month.

Now, POTRAZ has announced that there will be an ICT Innovators Showcase which is a platform meant to provide innovators and startups around the country with an opportunity to display their work and essentially highlight the sort of innovations and startups that will require State support.

The first showcase is set to be held on the 14th of September, 2016 (tomorrow) in the city of Bulawayo at Holiday Inn. The Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Supa Mandiwanzira is set to host the event which will run from 3 pm.

This first showcase is expected to cater for startups and innovators in Bulawayo, Matabeleland (North and South), Midlands and Masvingo provinces.

There will be another Innovators Showcase event on the 21st of September, 2016 in Harare for innovators and startups from the other provinces.

For local startups and innovators that often cite the lack of investment as a hindrance to scaling and growth, this State fund could be an opportunity to access much-needed support.

Are you interested in showcasing your startup or innovation? To register, you can get a hold of POTRAZ or call on 0716 999 999; 0714 999 999; 0772 198 999 999