Standard Chartered Bank, Zambia has announced the winners for cohort four of the SC Women in Technology Incubator Programme (SCWIT). The six women-owned businesses that emerged winners in the Cohort four program are walking away with $10,000 equity-free funding each.
This program is an initiative of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia in partnership with BogoHive. Since November 2020, Chartered Bank Zambia has been working with BogoHive to train and equip female entrepreneurs who want to or are currently using digital technology to grow and scale their business but lack the financial resources to.
Speaking at the awards and graduation event, Standard Chartered Bank CEO, Sonny Zulu stated that the SCWIT programme is part of the Bank’s bold and ambitious stand to lift the participation of women and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the economy to build more sustainable communities.
“The SC WIT programme is part of our broader global initiative – Futuremakers by Standard Chartered – to tackle social and economic inequality by promoting greater economic inclusion. When we launched SC WIT in November 2020, we were responding to the call for the much-needed support for small and medium enterprises who are now increasingly playing a critical role in growing the country’s economy. This initiative equally supports the government’s efforts to grow SMEs as evidenced by the formation of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development,” Mr Zulu said.
The winners of the 2024 Standard Chartered Women in Technology Initiative Zambia are:
1. Wiawane Store Limited
Founded by Keyanda Besa
WilaWane Store is a children’s educational wooden toys and bookstore – the very first of its kind in Zambia.
2. Berry Green Enterprise
Founded by Timale Manda
Berry Green Enterprise utilizes sustainably sourced ingredients from local farmers and growers to ensure that our consumers get the most from each meal.
3. Chiseko AgriTech
Founded Esineya Chilimbu
Founded in 2023 and headquartered in Zambia, Chiseko is a pioneering force in Agritech consultancy, digital marketplaces, and logistics services. Chiseko AgriTech is providing a sustainable solution to the gap in the fresh agricultural produce supply chain.
4. Promaid Cleaning Service
Founded by Idah Gondwe
Founded in 2022, ProMaid, provides cleaning services in line with international standards.
5. Koloso Application Technology Zambia
Founded by Petra Chikasa
Koloso is a free, gaming-to-learn, mobile app that empowers and encourages both learners and teachers. Players take fun, two-minute quizzes, in a format that blends.
6. Kiddies Commute
Founded by Tetiwe Nzimah
Kiddies Commute provides safe and reliable transportation for school-age children, not only to school but also to doctors appointments, parties, after-class activities, or anywhere your child needs to be.
The selected businesses will also receive portfolio advisory support for 10 weeks, and join the global SCWIT alumni network to have access to additional networking events, resources, content, and business scaling opportunities.
