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HARARE Polytechnic has scooped first position in the Youth Forum StartUp Olympiad competition held in Victoria Falls.
The competition was held at the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) conference.
The Kenyan team and Mutare Polytechnic came second and third respectively.
Harare Polytechnic walked away with US$3 000, while the Kenyan team got US$2 000 and Mutare Polytechnic pocketed US$1 000.
Harare Polytechnic Research Innovation Development and Industrialisation Head of Division, Engineer Itai Tsatsi, said he was delighted that his institution had won, and hoped they will implement the projects and generate revenue for themselves.
“We are grateful for students doing things that bring solutions.
“I am also happy to see ladies coming on board to compete.
“The teams came from the institution’s different departments, the projects were student-centred and the institution funded their projects to come into existence.
“Many thanks to other staff members for supporting our students,” Eng Tsatsi said.
Blessing Vito, leader of the Mutare Polytechnic team, said they were grateful to be among the winners.
“The competition was tough, but I am grateful we made it. I would like to thank my principal, Mrs Watema, for making this happen.
“From the prize money we got, we will produce and install the filters in small quantities to generate revenue so that we expand the business,” said Vito.
The team’s project focused on the designing and installation of activated carbon filter for effective water treatment.
President of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, Mike Kamungeremu, challenged winners to make sure the projects presented in the competition come into existence.
“We want these start-ups to create employment for you and other youths out there.
“There is high demand for vocational skills to develop our continent, therefore, I urge you to not end here, but go and expand these business ideas.
“I also urge fellow businesspeople to take skills development and training seriously and to also commit budgets to that, as it is critical,” said Kamungeremu.
Founder and chief executive of StartUp Africa, Erastus Mong’are, urged them to translate their projects into real businesses.
He said despite the short notice given to participants, they came up with high quality projects, and pledged to continue supporting youth entrepreneurship.
“Competitions like the StartUp Africa Innovation Olympiads are important, especially for the youths.
“As StartUp Africa, we are always willing to equip the youths with the necessary skills they need so that they succeed.
“To the winners, you have a lot of work to do, use this one year to expand your business, and come the 2023 competitions, we want to hear the results,” he said.
He also promised that his organisation will help the winners with experts to share their expertise in managing their projects.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter