BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
LARGE corporates should create partnerships with startups as a strategy to open up new markets in the industry while leveraging on local capabilities, says Lukonga Lindunda, Bongohive Co-founder.
Bongohive is Zambia’s first technology and innovative hub which evolves to assist scalable startups by enhancing skills, accelerating growth, providing a forum for ideas exchange and reducing the barriers to entrepreneurship.
Mr. Lindunda explained that large firms should view partnerships with startups as an opportunity to penetrate into new markets.
He was speaking recently during the Stanbic Bank Zambia AnakaziBanking online conversation which discussed how businesses can tap into local capabilities.
“Once you see startups growing and gaining momentum in the industry, as a corporate you should see that as an opportunity. If you can partner with them, you can get into new markets.
“A startup will be more agile and they are on the ground and understand the context much better and that will help in creating credibility as a big corporate,” Mr Lindunda said.
Mr Lindunda however encouraged startups to strive to grow to a point that they were credible enough to provide a service to large corporates.
This, he said, would help to unlock their potential and value, thereby growing their businesses.
He also observed that Zambia’s hound population provided an opportunity to unlock potential which could transform the country.
“Zambia has a young population which means that we can now focus on the potential which is there. Young people are the future once they are given relevant tools and skills,” Mr Lindunda said.
Meanwhile, Mr Lindunda said Bongohive has created 23 partnerships with different large corporates including Face Book and Amazon, among others meant on leveraging on technology.
Mr Lindunda said such partnerships had helped his organisation to provide quality service and help customers with innovations.
