Start-up’s tools give students a leg-up

A TEAM of seven UCT students have developed a start-up company, Zaio, which offers technology and entrepreneurship skills to fellow students.

The start-up assists student developers in building an information technology skills profile through coding challenges and practical experience, helping them to ultimately land their dream job.

Zaio is also a platform that provides other start-ups with access to affordable web and app development. The team comprises Mvelo Hlophe, Thando Hlongwane, Mihlali Xozwa, Harjot Singh, Akhil Boddu, Ntuthuko Mpaku and Asif Hassam, all of whom have an interest in technology and entrepreneurship.

It was formed in October last year, when student developer Hlongwane realised he did not have any practical experience.

“We are helping to shape the journey of a student developer to gain practical experience. Guys like Mvelo, an aspiring entrepreneur, were finding it very difficult to prototype and create innovations, because it’s really expensive to build tech.

“So out of that, the idea was born to help student developers gain practical experience while helping start-ups build affordable tech. From there we evolved realising we are shaping the journey of a student developer to gain practical experience,” said Hlongwane.

Technology, especially web and app development and coding, is often seen as male-dominated. The only woman on the Zaio team, Xozwa, who is the finance and community lead, is trying to get more women involved with the platform and to make it more inclusive.

Boddu said: “Someone might ask Zaio to build a prototype. This is normally an entrepreneur or a start-up. An alternative approach is they’re simply looking for more developers to help their start-up. We are also working with corporates looking to recruit developers.”