The Bala Wunti Tech Fellows recently participated in an insightful mentorship session with Abubakar Ango, a senior software engineer, focused on transforming innovative tech ideas from mere coding projects into profitable, scalable ventures.
The session brought together fellows working on different technology-driven solutions, including AgriVault – an Agro Marketplace and Smart Storage solution, Haraji – a platform simplifying tax compliance for businesses, and SwiftLink – a Smart Digital Waybill Platform. Each team presented its idea, current development stage, and challenges in moving beyond product development to market viability.
Abubakar Ango emphasized the importance of thinking beyond code, urging the fellows to view their solutions as businesses rather than just technical products. He highlighted key areas such as identifying real market problems, validating ideas with users, building sustainable revenue models, and understanding customer acquisition strategies.
Ango guided the fellows on how to refine their value propositions, stressing that successful tech ventures must solve clear, urgent problems for users. Using practical examples, he explained how platforms like AgriVault can unlock value by addressing post-harvest losses and market access, how Haraji can simplify complex tax processes for small and medium enterprises, and how SwiftLink can modernize logistics documentation through digital innovation.
The mentorship session also covered topics such as pricing strategies, partnerships, scalability, and the importance of aligning technical development with business goals. Fellows were encouraged to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, continuously test their assumptions, and leverage mentorship and networks to grow their ideas into viable startups.
Participants described the session as timely and impactful, noting that it provided clarity on how to bridge the gap between technical skills and entrepreneurship. Many fellows expressed renewed confidence in repositioning their projects for real-world adoption and long-term sustainability.
The mentorship session forms part of the Bala Wunti Tech Fellowship’s broader commitment to nurturing young innovators, equipping them not only with technical skills but also with the business and leadership capacity needed to build solutions that create economic value and social impact.
