The countdown to the end of the year has begun, and wow! The past 11 months have been filled with exciting events. From networking events to pitch days to sealing investment deals. As we prepare to wrap up the year we would love to share what we have been up to in the last quarter of the year.
ZBAN Investment Update
ZBAN is proud to reveal its latest investment in Tash Classy Hair, a premier hair store redefining the wig industry with its commitment to quality and affordability.
Tash Classy Hair caters to customers who value elegance without compromise. By combining luxurious designs with competitive pricing, the brand has carved a unique niche in the market, appealing to a broad spectrum of clients.
ZBAN’s investment in Tash Classy Hair represents more than financial support; it’s a partnership rooted in the shared vision of empowering businesses that bring value to their communities.
With this investment, ZBAN is confident that Tash Classy Hair will continue its upward trajectory, setting new standards for excellence in the hair industry.
USAID EDGE Investment Preparedness Program Kickoff
In September we Kicked off the USAID EDGE investor preparedness programme, where 23+ incredible SME founders were represented. The energy from the participants was electric ⚡ as they got an in-depth understanding of what the programme had in store for them.
The founders engaged in a 4 day bootcamp that had a line up of incredible speakers who offered mentorship and guidance. One of the highlights from the boot camp was a powerful Ted Talk from David Akinin, founder and CEO of Jabu African Fintech and Y Combinator alum.
The Q&A session at the end was filled with insightful questions that left us excited about the future of the businesses that were represented.
September Pitch day
On the 26th of September we held our ninth pitch day of the year, where we heard from businesses in three different sectors. It was one of the most diverse pitch presentations we’ve had so far.
We had Linkbridge representing the agriculture sector, by tackling inefficiencies that African farmers face, ensuring they have access to the tools, expertise, and markets needed for successful farming.👩🌾
The second pitch from WeCure Pharmacy represented the health sector. Their goal is to provide consistent access to medication and health monitoring, especially for patients with chronic conditions. 🚑
Lastly we heard from We SEPO Waste Management who are addressing Zambia’s waste disposal challenges by increasing the collection and recycling of waste. ♻️🗑️
Zambia Impact Investment Summit
We were proud to be part of the Zambia Impact Investment Summit 2024, themed “Leveraging Impact Investing for Zambia’s Sustainable Future,” in partnership with Avencion, through the USAID EDGE programme., are proud to have been part of this transformative event. The event was transformative and was filled with insightful sessions and key discussions.
One highlight from the 2 day event was the pitch sessions where participants in the USAID EDGE Investor Preparedness programme. After undergoing intense bootcamp sessions and pitch practice sessions, the SMEs were able to present their businesses to the audience and got great feedback.
It was truly inspiring to witness the energy and commitment from the hundreds of participants who joined. Together, we are building a brighter, more sustainable Zambia.
AESIS Investor meet up
In preparation for the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (AESIS) and in partnership with BongoHive we successfully hosted an Investor meet up in Lusaka.
The event brought together early-stage investors and business founders, providing networking opportunities that guided our preparations for the main AESIS event in Cape Town, under the theme, “Pioneering Pathways: Innovating Capital Mobilization in Africa.”
Here are some highlights from the event!
Entrepreneur Spotlight
Transforming Education in Zambia: How Koloso is Making Learning Engaging, Personalised, and Accessible
In Zambia, quality education has the power to change lives, yet challenges in delivering effective, personalised learning have held students back. Koloso, an innovative EdTech startup, is tackling this challenge head-on, driven by a passionate team determined to empower teachers and students alike. They’re on a mission to make learning more effective, engaging, and accessible for every child.
Koloso, co-founded by Sowi, Petra, and James, was born from a shared goal to transform Zambia’s education system. Koloso focuses on personalised learning by automating assessments, saving teachers time and enabling them to deliver targeted feedback to each student. The platform originally began as a simple maths quiz game but evolved after feedback from teachers, who saw its potential for classroom use.
James’ experience in particular fueled Koloso’s mission. While shopping, he encountered a young cashier who needed a calculator to give him change for a small purchase, an encounter that highlighted just how essential basic maths skills are. For James, that moment emphasised the gaps Koloso could help close.
Koloso operates with a simple yet impactful approach. Students log in to play a short, interactive quiz game that assesses their knowledge and tracks their learning progress. This data is automatically sent to a centralised school dashboard, allowing teachers to see where each student is excelling or struggling. For teachers, this means having the insights needed to provide more targeted support. For parents, it means staying connected to their child’s progress through updates that keep them engaged and informed
This personalised, data-driven approach not only supports students but also alleviates the workload of teachers, who spend less time assessing and more time teaching. Koloso has quickly proven valuable in the classroom setting, making a difference for both teachers and students.
As with any startup, Koloso’s path hasn’t been smooth. Building the right team, refining the product, and navigating funding challenges required persistence and a willingness to adapt. Originally, Koloso aimed to partner with government schools, but due to structural delays, they focussed on private schools.
Funding was also a major challenge. Fortunately, support from the Zambia Business Angels Network (ZBAN) and the Catalytic Africa Fund enabled Koloso to move from a prototype to a market-ready product. With this backing, they were able to expand and refine their tool, now actively used in seven schools by over 1,000 students.
By integrating technology into education, Koloso is actively working to close the learning gaps that exist in Zambia and equip students with skills essential for a brighter future.
As Koloso grows, its impact will only expand. The team has big plans to reach even more schools and explore new features that could make learning even more interactive and personalised. By creating a platform that bridges educational gaps, they’re not only enriching students’ lives but also contributing to a more educated Zambia.
October Pitch day
On the 31st of October we held our tenth pitch day of the year, where we heard from businesses in five exciting businesses.
We had Chibanga Free Range Farms, a business that engages in all year round agriculture production and processing of poultry, piggery, horticulture, and fish in order to promote food securi
We also heard from Arc-lite Agro Engineering, a business that is set to solve challenges in methods of Irrigation, farm setup and farm structures.
We heard from Postack Delivery, a business that is working to ensure that small-scale farmers in Zambia have access to urban markets, efficient supply chains, and quick payments.
From the Agri Business we had Terra energies a business that is offering a Hybrid Fertilizer by transforming bio waste and agricultural waste into fertilizer combating climate change and ensuring food security.
And lastly, we heard from Oxylane whose mission is to help farmers who often struggle with limited access to markets by linking them to buyers and suppliers who also face inefficiencies in sourcing and accessing quality produce, which often leads to delays and inflated costs.
ZBAN at the Innovation and Technology Summit
On November 21st and 22nd, ZBAN had the privilege of attending the Innovation and Technology Summit, hosted by the National Technology Business Centre (NTBC). During this two-day event, we hosted a pitch session and featured some of our investors in impactful panel discussions.
The summit provided an excellent platform to showcase ZBAN’s work and raise awareness among SMEs about the funding opportunities available through our network. We are proud to support the growth of innovative businesses and look forward to continued collaboration in fostering Zambia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
May you end the year with joy, love and cherished moments. Wishing you a season of warmth and happiness.