Zimbabwean Start-Up Shines in a Global Undergraduate Entrepreneurial Contest

eAgro, a Zimbabwean Start-Up that connects farmers to financing using mobile phones, alternative data, and machine learning packages has won USD$2500 cash prize and other form of support from the Texas Christian University (TCU) Neeley School of Business Values and Ventures Competition.

eAgro is a Start-Up that has a mandate to assist farmers in Zimbabwe to run financially stable farms and maximize their farms capacity to empower every women and smallholder farmer in Zimbabwe. It was founded in 2020 by University students: Tafadzwa Chikwereti (NUST), Golden Nhunhama (UZ), Tafadzwa Mutanho (UZ) and Yolandah Sibanda (NUST).

“This year’s competition started in February and since then we have gone through three rounds of the competition, competing with over 264 start-ups from 11 countries and 4 continents. Participants have been showcasing their for-profit ventures and we made it into the 8 powerhouse finalists. eAgro, a Zimbabwean Start-Up that connects farmers to financing using mobile phones, alternative data, and machine learning packages has won USD$2500 cash prize and other form of support from the Texas Christian University (TCU) Neeley School of Business Values and Ventures Competition.eAgro is a Start-Up that has a mandate to assist farmers in Zimbabwe to run financially stable farms and maximize their farms capacity to empower every women and smallholder farmer in Zimbabwe. It was founded in 2020 by University students: Tafadzwa Chikwereti (NUST), Golden Nhunhama (UZ), Tafadzwa Mutanho (UZ) and Yolandah Sibanda (NUST).“This year’s competition started in February and since then we have gone through three rounds of the competition, competing with over 264 start-ups from 11 countries and 4 continents. Participants have been showcasing their for-profit ventures and we made it into the 8 powerhouse finalists.

We were the only African start-up to reach this stage and we were in 4th place and honourably mention in the global finals.” eAgro Co-Founder and C.E.O Tafadzwa Chikwereti said in a statement.

Values and Ventures awards thousands of dollars in capital to undergrad students who have winning ideas for profitable companies. For 10 years, it has celebrated trailblazing college students who leverage their business skills to solve the world’s problems.

eAgro ventured into the completion under National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and among the 264 competitors, made to the 4th position which came with USD$2.500, a glass trophy and they will be attending the 2022 TCU Values and Ventures competition as alumni. They will also get continued support through mentorship and business support and an option clause to take on 50 000 USD as equity seed capital from TCU Values ventures support partners.

Being asked on the future of eAgro, the CEO responded, ”Now we looking at entering into market with refined service and ready team to go and disrupt the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe and Africa.”