LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
ITIS, creating local, innovative technology solutions for business and people.
Gércia Sequeira is a leading techpreneur in Mozambique and the CEO and co-founder of Instituto de Tecnologias, Inovação e Serviços - ITIS. As President of the ICT Association in Mozambique (AMPETIC) and Master trainer in business development service providers, as well as a trainer of various associations and single business owners concerning the use of ICT and Management tools, she is an influential tech voice in the country.
Lionesses of Africa spoke to Gércia to learn more about what it takes to build a leading tech solutions business in her country, and also about her aspirations for the future.
What does your company do?
We help organizations and people improve their internal processes by using locally-based technology solutions.
What inspired you to start your company?
My dream is to provide Mozambique with qualified and competent employees, where every single one can work using a computer, information system, and can suggest improvements in their labour environment.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We simulate the market and allow our final clients to face complex situations with low risks. Our simulation tool covers both specific and transversal aspects, ranging from the legislative component to the day-to-day management of companies.The simulation software is accredited with the most important stakeholders on the market, such as the Mozambican Tax Authority, OCAM, the Mozambican Stock Exchange, and many others that actively contribute with curriculum guidance and quality assurance.
Tell us a little about your team
We are very proud of the team we have built. ITIS has always been a place defined by bringing together talented people with a shared vision and passion for helping us to be the best we can be for our clients. All of our employees are unique individuals who are united by the same vision - assured young Africans who not only read books about business and entrepreneurship, but also experience it first hand and try for themselves to manage a virtual company in a simulated market.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I spent my younger life in Inhambane, a province situated about 550 Km from Maputo (capital of Mozambique). I graduated in Tourism, then I worked for two years at socio-economic consultancy companies, and then I opened a business in the specialized field of technology. Most people tell me that this is quite unusual. Still, I discovered a paralyzing gap in my short stay in such different industry areas, a gap between the necessary skills and the lack of experience for those who are starting a career. So, I decided that I was going to put all my energy and time into a project of a virtual internship, a solution to the problem. I worked on planning the way to do it and have people interested in it for ten months. I found two of my school mates who were finishing their IT degrees and who were facing the same problem that I identified. So, we start coding a software where people can have an opportunity to simulate processes found in real-life work. We pivoted to a B2B idea - selling to universities that help their students to have a practical approach of working. We are now in more than 15 universities in Mozambique, and recently launched our virtual business simulation for kids. I never planned on becoming an entrepreneur, but now, I can't imagine doing anything else.
On a personal level, I am an energetic and enthusiastic person who enjoys a challenge and achieving personal goals. My present career aim is to work within IT because I enjoy working with computers, I enjoy the environment, and I find the work interesting and satisfying. The opportunity to learn new skills and work with new technologies is particularly attractive to me. In fact, this allowed me to became president of ICT association at Mozambique (AMPETIC).
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Our drive is to replicate our solution for other countries in Africa. An inclusive effort to give a chance to the many bright and young Africans to expand their vision, meet other impactful young African people inside of the platform, and change their education for the better.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The challenge of always learning and dealing with new things.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Trust in your instinct.
To find out more about Gércia’s business, send an email gsequeira@itis.ac.mz or visit the ITIS website and social media platforms.