"Without commitment, you'll never start. But without consistency, you'll never finish"
-Denzel Washington

The profound wisdom within this powerful quote resonates deep within the essence of Upendo Tech, as we embarked on our first exhilarating steps - our official onboarding into the prestigious Women in Business program curated by Norrsken Foundation.

The onboarding day was brimming with positive energy and engaging discussions alongside fellow cohort members and the amazing teams at Norrsken East Africa, BPN Rwanda, and 250 Start-ups. While the launch event set the celebratory tone, the onboarding sessions delved into the program structure's nitty-gritty and the collaborative platforms that lie ahead.

During our engaging onboarding sessions, one thought-provoking question posed by the program coordinator Irakoze Christelle Bayigamba resonated deeply: "What is your why?" - an introspective moment to reflect on the driving force fueling our passion as entrepreneurs.

As James Clear wisely stated, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." Our "why" ultimately defines the foundational systems we build our ventures upon. For Upendo Tech, our "why" is ingrained into the very name and ethos we were birthed from - "Upendo," the Swahili word for love. Our brand story was woven against the rich tapestry and backbone of what has allowed us as individuals and African communities to thrive against all odds: the spirit of Ubuntu.

The word "Ubuntu" originates from one of the Bantu dialects of Africa and is pronounced as uu-Boon-too. It is a traditional African philosophy that offers us an understanding of ourselves in relation to the world. According to Ubuntu, a common bond exists between us all, and it is through this bond, through our interaction with our fellow human beings, that we discover our own human qualities. Or as the Zulus would say, "Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu," which means that a person is a person through other persons. "I am what I am because of who we all are."

We affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others. The South African Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu describes Ubuntu as: "It is the essence of being human. It speaks of the fact that my humanity is caught up and is inextricably bound up in yours. I am human because I belong."

As Upendo Tech, we drew inspiration from the Ubuntu philosophies that have bound African societies for generations - communality, love, support structures, strong cultural value systems, profound resilience, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. This essence became the driving "why" propelling our mission to share in the entrepreneur's passion and love for why they started their ventures with them and provide an ecosystem of support that elevates and empowers entrepreneurs across the African continent.

In most African economies, MSMEs account for the bulk of businesses and GDP contributions. In Rwanda, for instance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has provided data that MSMEs account for 98% of all businesses, employing over 2.5 million people, contributing 41% of all private-sector jobs in the nation, and contributing around 33% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We recognized the pivotal role that small businesses and self-starters play as economic engines. We deeply understand the challenges and aspirations of African businesses striving to deliver exceptional experiences while navigating the complexities of operations, customer service, regulatory frameworks, marketing, and sustainable growth. This understanding birthed our passion for providing premium yet accessible advisory services, skills training, and tech-driven tools to nurture entrepreneurial talents into sustainable ventures that continue to uplift the communities they operate in - that are impact ventures spreading the very precepts of Ubuntu.

Our offerings are a labor of love, meticulously designed to nurture your entrepreneurial journey, streamline processes, enhance productivity, and unlock new realms of opportunity. We take a "solutionist approach" to real-world business challenges, with agility and speed woven into our DNA, allowing us to pivot and tailor solutions for our clients with care. Uplifting locally created products is a cause close to our hearts. We embrace cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence not just for a competitive edge but to consistently craft forward-thinking solutions that tangibly improve lives. More than just partners, we are kindred spirits sharing the unwavering passion and love you have for your business ventures. Our purpose is to be steadfast enablers helping you realize the hard-earned fruits of your dedication. These are the cherished African values of love that inspire our human-centric solutions and deep-rooted commitment to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Whether you are a small retailer seeking to optimize your supply chain, a restaurateur aiming to deliver better customer service, or a service provider looking to lock in an investment deal to scale your operations, we are your steadfast partners, providing the tailored guidance, skills development, and tech-driven tools to propel your customer-centric vision to new heights of success. Just as our communities have demonstrated unshakable resilience through conflicts, hardships, and existential challenges, we too adopted an ethos of determination and perseverance. A spirit that refuses to waver in bringing innovative solutions to streamline business operations for MSMEs and big corporates in our nations.

In essence, our brand identity of "Upendo" pays homage to the ubiquitous power of love that has allowed our communities to thrive for generations - love for our families and providing for them, love for our culture, love for our people's tenacity, and love for the innate ingenuity that spurs entrepreneurial thinking. It is this holistic "why" that guides the human-centric systems of service delivery, value creation, and impact etched into Upendo Tech's DNA. For it is this essence that emboldens us to consistently build robust solutions capable of catalyzing socio-economic growth and empowerment across the African entrepreneurial landscape.

While we have taken that daring first step to nurture the seeds of passion and commitment planted within us, it is our steadfast devotion to being #ConsistentlyAudacious that will ensure these seeds blossom into realization at new heights - through this opportunity and every other that follows.

Onwards and Upwards!

Let us join hands on your own journeys fueled by passion's spark and guided by profound purpose. Embrace your #ConsistentlyAudacious calling, for when passion weds consistency through the sacred bonds of love, the boundless growth and empowerment you seek will be realized. Reach out to us at support@upendotech.com or +250 794 105 780, and together we shall walk the path of consistently sharing the audacious love that empowers dreams to thrive!