March 2024 Magazine

Editor'sNote

It is always refreshing to see the startup ecosystem embrace the new product-oriented community of undiscovered talent that we are building.

We continue to highlight the compelling value proposition for startups to leverage flexible team setup where you tap into a pool of engineering teams and marketing teams, and avoid additional overhead costs of building an in-house team while still being able to easily scale up or down.

We spend a great deal of time upskilling the talent to understand the needs of startups and their users, so they can quickly onboard and start to provide value within two weeks.

Check out the products that were built by Cohort 4 and let’s make your startup MVP a reality!

Cheers!

Alida Rwabalinda Chief Editor

UNDISCOVERED TALENT

VANESSANIYOMUBYEYI VANESSANIYOMUBYEY

What is your background and specialization?

I have completed my bachelor degree in Statistics Applied to economy, Specialized in Data collection, Data cleaning and Data analysis with report.

What were you doing before joining the career readiness incubator?

Before joining incubator, I was a professional internee in research and training organization.

What were the problems you were trying to solve?

As the Genius Tech team, we worked on Go Transportation project where we wanted to solve the problem of long queues when using public transportation in Kigali. Our solution allow transportation companies to dynamically assign buses to routes based on the long queues for the buses

Tell me about the problem validation and journey mapping?

As we did a research on passenger we found out that they always be late to work because of spending a longtime on bus stop waiting for the buses and on the side of transport companies we found that it is very difficult for them to track where there is a long queue and how the drivers worked during a day.

WATCHVANESSANIYOMUBYEYI

VANESSANIYOMUBYEYI VANESSANIYOMUBYEY

Can you tell me more about the Demo Day presentation?

Demo day was the best day because we had to present what we have done and to know what others have been working on during incubator and of course we were waiting for the result of the effort we put on project during incubator.

What learnings did you acquire in the career readiness incubator and how did you apply it to your current role?

What I have learned is team work, effective communication with team, deliver something big within short time and providing solutions to existing problems.

To have strong communication be hard worker and to always eager to learn and improving their skills in tech.

YVES MUHOZA YVES MUHOZA

What is your background and specialization?

I did Mathematics Economics and Computer Science in high school after I went to Kigali Independent University. I specialize in computer science, specifically in software development as a backend developer.

What were you doing before joining the career readiness incubator?

I have been working in the IT industry as an IT Help Desk Supporter and Network engineer

Tell me about the problem validation and Journey mapping.

We validated our problems by conducting further investigations from Doctors and patients themselves by asking relevant questions about what was happening and what they were experiencing. On Journey mapping we focused on how the software was going to work and perform its duty as expected, we went from High-value features that were not complex to implement off of the short period we were having and we came up with a product that we believe to be very helpful to the patient

Tell me more about the solution proposed and the product design.

We developed a software product that links both doctors and chronic disease patients and eases the treatment process regardless of when it happened or where, keeping a track of medical patient's history and enabling doctors to access medical history that a patient got from other hospitals.

Current Role: Backend Developer

Can you tell me more about the Demo Day presentation? What were the problems you were trying to solve?

It was a very pleasant day after typical days of putting in work, as we all met some for the first time and others. I was very happy to present what we did during the two months of dedication to finding solutions to the existing real-world problems. It went great as we expected.

What learnings did you acquire in the incubator and how did you apply it to your current job?

I have learned to be significantly productive both as an individual contributor and as a valuable team member through effective collaboration. Moreover, I have honed my problem-solving abilities by developing software solutions to address existing issues and by working within agile methodologies. These experiences have not only enhanced my professional growth but have also contributed to my overall effectiveness and efficiency in daily operations.

What advice will you give to people who want to pursue a career in tech?

This is a big competitive industry and you need to be thoughtful before making sure what you are going to do and working hard to prove yourself to others by being innovative and creative in everything you want to do

YVESMUHOZA YVESMUHOZA

Brilliance! MARCHING TECH

THE ART OF REMOTE WORK

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

Let’s start with real metrics

50% of Asia workforce is working remotely by 2030

43% of America’s workforce will be working remotely by 2025!

1

While each region has particular factors that facilitate remote work, here are some key drivers: Remote work has become more feasible and efficient due to advancements in technology, such as highspeed internet, cloud computing, and collaboration tools

2 Remote work allows organizations to access a global talent pool, reduce overhead costs, and increase operational efficiency

3 The workforce is evolving, with millennials and Generation Z prioritizing flexibility and work-life balance

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED

LOOKING AHEAD

MASTERING THE ART OF REMOTE WORK

In recent years, the landscape of work has undergone a profound transformation with the widespread adoption of remote work arrangements. As the traditional office environment gives way to remote and distributed teams, mastering the art of remote work has become essential for professionals across industries.

1.

EMBRACING REMOTE WORK CULTURE

At the heart of successful remote work lies a culture of flexibility, autonomy, and trust Unlike the structured routines of the traditional office, remote work empowers individuals to design their workday around their unique needs and preferences. By embracing a culture that values outcomes over hours logged, organizations can unleash the full potential of their remote workforce.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN A VIRTUAL SETTING 2.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of remote work success

In the absence of face-to-face interactions, clear and consistent communication becomes paramount. Leveraging a combination of video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaboration tools can help bridge the gap between remote team members and foster a sense of connection and belonging.

3.

MANAGING TIME AND PRIORITIES

With the freedom to work from anywhere comes the responsibility of managing one's time and priorities effectively Establishing a daily routine, setting clear goals and objectives, and prioritizing tasks based on their importance and urgency are essential habits for remote professionals. Embracing techniques such as time blocking and Pomodoro sessions can help maintain focus and productivity throughout the workday

4.

MAINTAINING WORKLIFE BALANCE

One of the most significant challenges of remote work is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Without clear boundaries between work and personal life, remote professionals risk burnout and fatigue. Setting designated work hours, creating dedicated workspace, and scheduling regular breaks are essential practices for preserving mental health and well-being in a remote work environment

Daretodream,

dare to achieve

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN TECH: PIONEERS, INNOVATORS,

AND LEADERS

As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's essential to recognize the invaluable contributions of women in the field of technology. From groundbreaking innovations to leadership roles, women have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the tech industry.

Historically, women have faced numerous challenges and barriers in the male-dominated tech sector. Despite these obstacles, trailblazers like Ada Lovelace, often regarded as the world's first computer programmer, paved the way for future generations of women in technology Their courage, resilience, and determination have inspired countless women to pursue careers in tech and defy stereotypes along the way.

Today, women continue to make significant strides in various tech disciplines, from software engineering to artificial intelligence and beyond. Their contributions have transformed industries, driving innovation and pushing boundaries in ways previously unimaginable. Women are at the forefront of cuttingedge research, driving advancements in fields such as machine learning, cybersecurity, and biotechnology

Furthermore, women in tech are not only making waves in technical roles but also in leadership positions. From CEOs of major tech companies to founders of innovative startups, women are breaking glass ceilings and reshaping corporate culture. Their vision, creativity, and strategic thinking are driving companies towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Despite progress, gender disparities persist in the tech industry Women remain underrepresented in technical roles and leadership positions, highlighting the need for continued advocacy and support for gender diversity initiatives By fostering inclusive environments, providing mentorship opportunities, and challenging biases, we can create a more equitable tech industry where women thrive and succeed.

As we celebrate Women's History Month, let us honor the remarkable achievements of women in tech and reaffirm our commitment to empowering the next generation of female technologists Together, we can build a future where talent knows no gender and where women continue to play a leading role in shaping the future of technology.

WOMEN’S

MONTH

Celebratingthe strength,

resilience, and grace of women everywhere.

Cheers to the women who rise, inspire, and conquer.

WHAT ENTREPRENEURSHIP STYLE FITS YOU?

Many people have experienced redundancy in the last 12 months. With many layoffs in the tech industry, there are numerous people considering making a switch into entrepreneurship.

Recently, I conducted a workshop on how to thrive in the boundaryless world and the group spent 90 minutes evaluating their entrepreneurship styles and the challenges that they have been dealing with as a result of the style they are following.

INNOVATE BLACK SUMMIT IN BALI, INDONESIA

Home Base Entrepreneur

This entrepreneur prefers to set up a business close to home. They also prefers to co-locate with team members.

They may, however, not be able to explore a diversity of opportunities presented in multiple locations.

Bicontinental Entrepreneur

This entrepreneur has a home base but also has partially residency in another location/country. They are skilled at navigating cultural differences and logistical challenges.

They will, however, have to forgo the idea of stability and having roots in one place as they tend to be on the move every couple of months.

Nomad Entrepreneur

This entrepreneur embraces locationindependent lifestyle. They prefer to work remotely while traveling frequently. Business typically revolves around online services or ecommerce. They are skilled at managing productivity on the go.

They may, however, have challenges with establishing strong relationships or communities

Fromanywhere toeverywhere:

Remote work, boundless dreams

POWER NEW CAREER PATHS IN THE DIGITAL ERA

A mix of corporate, entrepreneurship, nomad, time off and everything in between is A-OKAY!

How do we build a personal brand that puts us in the driver seat?

Traditional career paths are not the only way to a fulfilling career

NAVIGATINGTHEBOUNDARYLESS WORLD:AGUIDETOTHRIVINGIN REMOTEWORK

In today's boundaryless world of work, remote employment has surged, driven by technological advances, globalization, and shifting workforce demographics.

Leading the charge are remote-first companies like GitLab, Zapier, and Automattic, embracing technology to foster collaboration across distributed teams.

These companies have figured out how to support early professional by covering remote-necessary resources such as strong wifi, co-working space, and equipment financing programs.

By cultivating resilience and adapting to change, individuals can navigate the boundaryless world of remote work with confidence and confidently step into the future of work.

PROMOS PROMOS

UPSKILLING COHORTS

��

Career Readiness Incubator

Cohort 6: April 8th - June 28th

Apply Here:

�� Digital Marketing & Virtual

Assistant Upskilling

Cohort 1: April 15th - June 7th

Apply Here:

We are thrilled to launch the inaugural cohort of the Digital Marketing and Virtual Assistant Upskilling!

Innov8POD is partnering up with Remote Skills Academy to bring our talent community a truly unique experience.

If you are a founder or entrepreneur and need an intern, let’s connect!

She believed she could, so she did.

WCelebrating omen ’sMonth