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The Genius Next Door: Creating An Ecosystem For Innovation In Zimbabwe




I recently watched a video of a Maxwell Chikumbutso, Zimbabwean inventor who created a self powering car that runs on radio waves.¹ As I marveled at his ingenuity, I couldn't help but think of the countless possibilities that this innovation could unlock.

In a world where sustainable energy solutions are increasingly important, a car that runs on radio waves is more than just a novelty - it's a potential game-changer. But as I continued to watch, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this inventor's story is all too familiar. We've seen this story play out before: a brilliant idea, a promising start, but ultimately, a lack of support to take it to the next level.

The issue isn't just about funding; it's about the lack of policies, frameworks and infrastructure to support innovative projects like this. He needs funding to scale up his prototype, but we don't have a venture capital ecosystem in Zimbabwe.²

He's likely received some funding- enough to showcase his prototype, but that's not enough. Remember, this isn't a hobby; it's a potential breakthrough that requires significant investment.

However, what usually happens is that zvinonzi "mpfanha akangwara uyu(This boy is clever). I want to help you, mfanam(my boy). How much funding do you need to build a good enough demo?" Say he says 40k... then they tell him: "fine. I'll give you 50k, and we become partners... asi, since I am the one funding everything, I get 55%, and you get 45% of the business." So, now what this means is that this guy gives away more than half of the company, and that's before he even has a business. However, the business will require more funding in the future, and this means that he'll get diluted even more as we go. At this point he's no longer in the driving seat, and thus there is little incentive for him to 'give it his all'. I've seen many founders go out like this- where they inadvertently become frustrated employees in the businesses they started.

Fast-forward, he has built a prototype - this is his MVP... a taste of things to come... but one car won't return his investors' money. To build his cars cheaper, he needs a proper factory, production line, the whole shebang. This requires a huge capital outlay, but the returns aren't guaranteed and it might take years before the company is able to bring any meaningful returns. Without more funding the business stalls, and he ends up as that intelligent guy who had good ideas... if only he was in the States. Yet, if we had a venture capital ecosystem, he would get enough funding to grow his business into a reputable entity while retaining enough ownership to keep him motivated, and also be able to sustain the business for several years.

That's why it's essential for Zimbabwe to develop a venture capital ecosystem that supports innovators like him. Imagine the impact of a $100 million funding boost on his business: With access to funding, he could hire the best talent, set up a factory, refine his designs, bring his product to market and focus on scaling his business.

A missed opportunity

The story of Barnabas Sibanda- the Bulawayo man who built a chopper but never got support, is a stark reminder of the opportunities we're missing. There was another innovator from Harare(vakuru, please forgive me for not remembering your name) who built a chopper that looked better and seemed well-funded, but still didn't get the support it deserved. The army could have ordered those choppers for border patrol or something, but nothing came out of it.

This highlights the need for a deeper understanding and appreciation of venture capital's role in fueling innovation, as well as a conducive environment that fosters its growth, whether through government initiatives, private sector investment, or attracting international venture capital firms, to support and scale innovative projects like this one.

Instead of just marveling at this inventor's genius, we should be asking, "Where can I buy it?" or "How can I support him in scaling up his idea?" Just think, how many industries could spring up around this one innovation - battery manufacturers, charging station installers, electric motor specialists, sustainable energy consultants... the possibilities are endless!

Let's change the narrative. Let's create a Zimbabwe that supports and celebrates its innovators and entrepreneurs. Let's make Zimbabwe a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.

Footnotes

[1] There have been reports questioning the accuracy of the inventor's claim to have created the car, but for the purposes of this article, I am focusing on the innovative technology itself rather than the specifics of the car's origin.

[2] When I refer to the lack of venture capital in Zimbabwe, I mean to highlight the relative scarcity of funding opportunities for innovative projects, rather than to suggest a complete absence of venture capital firms or initiatives.

Comments

Pearl said…
You're absolutely right Likhwa, our funders are too greedy to understand that the innovator needs to remain firmly in the driver's seat. But for us to change that narrative would require us to clean the brains of a big bunch of people who are too entitled to see things any other way
29 January 2025 at 09:03
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