As Lusaka’s innovation and technology hub, they’re catalysing the growth of Zambia’s startup and tech communities.
BongoHive is Zambia’s first technology and innovation hub. Established in May 2011 and based in Lusaka, the co-founders, all enthusiastic programmers, sought to address the gaps they experienced working within the local technology industry leading to a lack of coordination, skills exposure and productivity. BongoHive has evolved to assist scalable startups of any background by enhancing skills, accelerating growth, strengthening networks, increasing collaboration, providing a forum for ideas exchange and reducing the barriers to entrepreneurship.
They provide a range of startup and tech programmes, workshops and events all focused on making Zambia Africa’s next hotbed of innovation.
The programmes that they have created have been crafted to guide startups through the entrepreneurial journey; from idea right through to getting investment. They collaborate extensively with like-minded organisations and industry leaders to ensure that they are delivering relevant material that helps startups thrive. Their partners and stakeholders include a number of Zambian government entities from local to republic level alongside both local and international non-governmental, corporate and tertiary education partners.
In addition to their startup programmes, they organise issue-specific workshops and seminars, support community developer groups on a variety of topics such as gaming and robotics and host a wide range of industry networking events.
Community
BongoHive is dedicated to creating and driving long-lasting change in its community and region. To achieve this, the organisation hosts three events: Insaka, Meet the Industry, and Mobile Monday. BongoHive also has four community groups: Asikana Network, Ubongo Game Lab, Google Developer Groups Lusaka, and Makerhut.
Co-working
BongoHive provides an appealing workspace for teams of any size and encourages an open and collaborative working style. BongoHive offers three membership categories.
Incubation
Working closely with the head of entrepreneurship at BongoHive, their members receive guidance and practical advice throughout the entire start-up process, which involves concept refinement and prototyping, post-launch operations and management of growth. They are supported every step of the way.
Consulting
This organisation offers quality consultancy services to corporate and institutional clients in a range of technology issues. BongoHive brings together top talent from their membership to help organisations develop and put in place technology strategies and solutions for long term growth.
