Eight2Five Innovation Hub

The journey continues...

After a rigorous selection process, we are proud to unveil the Top 20 Startups advancing to the next round of the Value Creation Challenge 2026.

These startups have demonstrated strong business potential, creative thinking, and a commitment to creating value in their respective sectors. Congratulations on reaching this important milestone.

We also introduce the VCC6 Wild Card Startups.

While these startups did not make it into the Top 20, they stood out for the exceptional potential they demonstrated throughout the selection process. As a result, they have earned a Wild Card opportunity to continue in the competition.

The challenge now is theirs to prove that they belong among the best, and potentially secure a place in the coveted Top 12 Cohort of 2026.

To all participating startups, thank you for your passion, resilience, and commitment to building solutions that matter.

Old Mutual Zimbabwe UK in Zimbabwe British Council Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust Embassy of Switzerland to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Behind every great cohort is a panel of exceptional judges.

As the Value Creation Challenge enters Round 3 of the selection process, our judges have been hard at work reviewing applications and identifying the ventures with the strongest potential for innovation, impact, and sustainable growth.

Drawing on decades of combined experience in business development, technology, finance, creative industries, media, sustainability, value addition, and enterprise growth, they have been carefully reviewing applications and evaluating ventures against the Challenge's key pillars.

Their collective insights, expertise, and commitment to fostering innovation have been instrumental in identifying the Top 20 cohort for the 2026 Value Creation Challenge.

To our judges, thank you for investing your time, knowledge, and leadership into supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and changemakers.

Some people scroll. Others walk into rooms like this.
Not because they have everything figured out, but because they are willing to figure things out as they go.

This is where ideas get tested, questions get sharper, and you start to see what’s actually possible.

Happy new month 🚀

Africa’s tech ecosystem is building faster, thinking bigger, and investing smarter. ⚡🌍

This edition of African Tech News Blitz is packed with major moves shaping the future of innovation across the continent:
🔹 Econet launches a dedicated AI Unit in a bold digital infrastructure push
🔹 VCC6 returns to fuel Zimbabwe’s next generation of innovators
🔹 IPEC and FSD Africa unveil a Regulatory Sandbox opening doors for InsurTech and FinTech experimentation
🔹 The Africa Forward Summit signals renewed global investor confidence in Africa
🔹 Blue Cloud Softech and GCIB Africa announce a “Digital Factory” initiative in Senegal

From AI to policy innovation and startup growth, the continent is positioning itself for what’s next. Read the full edition 🚀 bit.ly/49WkmUA

What kind of support do you think young innovators need more of today?
Last weekend’s NextGen Anchors session was another reminder that confidence in tech is rarely built overnight. It grows through consistent exposure, experimentation, mentorship, collaboration, and being trusted enough to try.

More often, young innovators need environments that make exploration feel possible. Spaces where asking questions is encouraged, where building before being perfect is normal, and where guidance exists without removing ownership.

As the journey continues, we remain excited to see what becomes possible when young people are given both support and space.

TME Education

This Africa Day, we are reminded that innovation grows where people are given space to think, create and build boldly.

Happy Africa Day.

We are inspired by young people building boldly, showing up consistently, learning, creating, collaborating, and choosing the right environment to thrive in.

Whether you need a quiet workspace, a professional meeting room, or a boardroom for your next strategy session, our space is designed to support people doing meaningful work.

Come work, build, meet, and grow with us.
Contact us today: +263 780 250 091 / [email protected]

Eight2Five Innovation Hub