2 JKUAT Graduates Who Started Software Company Make Millions

• Richard Matoke and Glausen Wamalwa graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) with degrees in computer science
• After graduating, they created software for managing libraries and considered charging schools and public libraries for it
• Three years later, the business broke even, raking in a profit of KSh 3 million following the re-design of the software

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Richard Matoke, then 23, and Glausen Wamalwa, then 22, decided to invest in software in 2009.

They had graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) with degrees in computer science.

The duo targeted the larger East Africa region, and the software ultimately earned them millions of shillings.

Which software did Matoke and Wamalwa develop?

Who Owns Kenya reported the two created software for managing libraries and considered charging schools and public libraries for it.

But this was challenging until one of their undergraduate friends introduced them to Jesse Muiru, an electrical engineer at Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC).

Muiru believed that their programme was not yet ready for the market, based on his experience with software.

“The programme was simple and could not attract the kind of customers they wanted. However, I was confident that we could harness their expertise and come up with quality software programmes that could attract a huge market, Muiru explained, as reported by Bizna Kenya.

Establishing Grinta East Africa

Together, the trio set out to redesign the software. They also joined hands to start a software development company, Grinta East Africa, which was a tremendous risk.

It was quite difficult for them to raise seed money for their firm, which had an initial capital aim of KSh 1 million.

However, they could not reach that amount with all of their savings. They required additional financiers who were prepared to support their concepts.

Fortunately, business development manager Kihara Nguyai and firm administrator Virgian Boiyo joined them.

They combined their resources, took out bank loans, and in 2010, a software firm called Grinta East Africa was established.

Wamalwa became systems administrator, Muiru chief executive officer, and Matoke chief software engineer.

The group developed an integrated school management system with modules for administration, accounting, testing, laboratories, registries, stores, libraries, and games.

In addition, they provide various software solutions like data registration systems, integrated management systems for banks and schools, bulk SMS systems, and point-of-sale systems.

How they made millions

After three years, the business broke even, raking in a profit of KSh 3 million. This came after the operational capital rose from KSh 1.2 million to KSh 6 million

As the firm grew, challenges arose. Among them was the market's lack of computer literacy,making it challengingm to use their software.

Inadequate operating systems, such as those for network environments and large computers, were also noted.

Why Diwakar Nigam started a software company

Sometimes, the things that frustrate us the most become the stepping stones to achieving things we would never have imagined.

No one understands that better than entrepreneur Diwakar Nigam, who started a software company after experiencing long delays with loan applications.

The firm has since grown to have branches in 60 countries.

Diwakar said that in most instances, the next million lies in what many people perceive as challenges.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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2 JKUAT Graduates Who Started Software Company Make Millions - Tuko.co.ke

JKUAT Coursemates who Founded a Software Development Company - YouTube