BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MEDIA FOR AFRICA

Thinkroom, Oracle support start-up founders in Eswatini

Lezeth Khoza
By Lezeth Khoza, Junior journalist
Johannesburg, 10 Jul 2025
Catherine Young, founder of Thinkroom.
Catherine Young, founder of Thinkroom.

Thinkroom and the Oracle Group are establishing a project to support Eswatini's early and growth-stage entrepreneurs, particularly fintech innovators looking to scale their businesses and enter new markets.

The six-month initiative, which begins in August, will include one-on-one mentorship, hands-on workshops, and practical sessions to assist founders in building, pitching, and growing their businesses.

Thinkroom is a management consultancy firm specialising in connecting big businesses with small and medium-sized enterprises to identify opportunities on the continent.

According to the company, the hybrid format combines online learning and in-person connections to strike a balance between access and accountability.

Thinkroom said Eswatini is brimming with ambitious founders, but access to extensive support, funding, and practical business education is limited.

It went on to say plenty of founders are navigating their entrepreneurial careers without the tools or networks they require to advance to the next level of growth.

This programme is designed to close the gap by creating a space where local founders are equipped and backed with the kind of hands-on support and experience, it said.

"Founders in Eswatini are not short on innovation, grit, or drive. However, they need the support infrastructure around them to take that next big step. 

"With Oracle Innovate Lab, we are creating a space where we can intentionally build growth in ten high-potential SMEs. This partnership with Oracle is an example of what it means to build meaningful growth with partners who want to make real impact,” said Catherine Young, founder of Thinkroom.

Sebastian Patel, co-founder and COO of Franc Group added: “Having been a participant in a Thinkroom-led entrepreneurial development programme, I would strongly encourage all qualifying founders, especially those in fintech, to apply to this programme. Access to support, mentorship, and network can be a game changer.”

Applications are open and will close on 23 July, interested parties can apply here.

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