Incubating start-ups through a partnership with Cambridge University’s Bridges for Enterprise

At Impact Hub Harare, we believe in working with partners across the globe to grow the initiatives we serve as is
prescribed by SDG 17: Partnership for the goals. As part of our incubation efforts, Impact Hub Harare works with
Cambridge University’s Bridges for Enterprise programme for the betterment of Zimbabwean start-ups. The
programme provides exclusive access (for free) to advisory services and to attract financial capital.
Bridges for Enterprise is an international non-profit organisation based at the University of Cambridge that
provides a free incubation programme (consisting of consulting, financial and legal services) to social enterprise
start-ups in developing countries. They match your organisation with consultants from the world's most
prestigious universities and professional mentors to deliver strategic advice for your business and work with you to
make your enterprise investor-ready.

The first round of Impact Hub start-ups participating in the Bridges for Enterprise programme was successful.
Impact Hubbers Kudzi Chitiva, Green Entrepreneur par excellence of Natfort Energy, and Kudzi Kuimba of JMP
Africa successfully completed the programme. JMP Africa is a young start-up that is looking to gain traction in the
electrical power generation space. Bridges for Enterprise helped Johnson, the start-up’s lead man, to redefine his
business strategy and management structure in order to effectively fulfill his company’s goals.

Kudzi Chitiva’s Social Enterprise is trail blazing green rural electrification.

This extreme hubber is making rural electrification a reality through the use of renewable energy. Natfort Energy,
as a result of the programme and mentorship provided by 180 Degrees Consulting Indiana, are launching their new
Pay-As-You-Go Solar Energy, or PAYGO service, that allows rural consumers to access clean, renewable energy for
less than a dollar a day. They are looking to transform the lives of people living on or below the poverty line in rural
areas. This initiative will benefit rural communities and address other social issues such as health, income
generation, education and gender equality.

With the help of 180 Degrees, Natfort Energy has been able to tweak their business model and all the projections
for the business for their project. Soon they will launch the pilot programme and have, through the help of Impact
Hub advisors, secured funding for the project. During the pilot phase, they are looking to power 100 homes in Zimbabwe and grow from there. We are looking forward to seeing Natfort Energy continue to grow, innovate and better our society.

We regard this partnership as a success, and Kudzi Chitiva as an impact success story. We look forward to more
collaborative work with Bridges for Enterprises and its partners.