Smart Class, a company dealing with connecting students with tutors and learning online, has won the Vodacom Digital Accelerator Program, run by Vodacom Tanzania in partnership with Smart Codes.

The program launched in 2019 to help early-stage and growth-stage technology start-ups “become profitable and revenue generating businesses”.

According to Vodacom Tanzania, the program received over 600 start-up applications in areas of agriculture, Fintech, media, health, education, and e-commerce. Over the past year, they have gone through training, mentorship and support.

Adam Juma, COO of Smart Class, called for more companies to support start- ups so that innovative business ideas can develop into big successful enterprises.

“I am grateful for the support I have received from Vodacom and Smart Codes that has given me more knowledge and insights on transforming an idea into a working business. I call on other big companies to emulate this initiative so that more local businesses can develop to the next level”.

Hashtag pools is the first runner up, with MYHI and E-DISPENSARY identified as the second runner up.

Vodacom’s Digital & Value Added Services Director, Nguvu Kamando said Vodacom’s vision to take Tanzania into a digital world can only be achieved by encouraging technology driven ideas that bring sustainable change.

“We have been impressed and awed by all the start-ups that were selected for this maiden accelerator program, they all had great ideas in using digital technology to change the way we do business but also solve issues of development. Congratulations to all the young people who participated and I encourage to think differently and utilise technology to make a difference.

I extend my gratitude to staff including judges and mentors who gave out their time and worked tirelessly to make this happen. I thank the viewers who joined us online for your participation in making this event an example of inclusiveness in supporting innovation for impact in Tanzania.” Nguvu concluded.

Among the key mentors in the Vodacom Digital Accelerator program and one of the most successful digital entrepreneurs Edwin Bruno, CEO and founder of Smart Codes called for scaling up support for innovation that can bring about rapid development through technological advancement.

Bruno said: "We cannot thank Vodacom Tanzania enough for playing a big part in pioneering technological advances in Tanzania but mostly for partnering with us in ensuring that we support start-ups in Tanzania who are coming up with brilliant tech solutions that will transform our nation. Smart Lab hopes to keep bridging the gap between start-ups and large corporations but mostly nurturing start-ups in Tanzania and Africa in general. I commend all the start-ups that worked hard to be part of the program showing much growth and I congratulate today's winners.”