In entrepreneurship, resilience usually makes the difference between winning and losing. Alexander Odhiambo, who co-founded and leads Solutech Limited, exemplifies this spirit. His experience in the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize competition shows the resolve that drives successful business owners. He tried twice to reach the top 10 finalists —and his persistence finally paid off when he claimed the 2nd runner-up spot in the 2024 grand finale, winning US$150,000 (approx. KES19.5 million, UGX552.2 million).
Odhiambo’s ABH journey teaches entrepreneurs not to give up. Many entrepreneurs might quit after one failure, but he saw each experience as a chance to learn. His initial attempts got him to the top 50 and then the top 20, but not in the top 10 finalists —twice, he didn’t let these stops hold him back. Instead, on his third attempt, he improved his business plan and became stronger and more determined —taking every “no” as a lesson, until he made it to the top 10 finalists on the 6th edition of the ABH Prize Competition.
When he stood on the big stage at the 2024 ABH finale, it proved he was right —not just about his business but about believing in keeping at it and always getting better. His resilience and determination saw him emerge as the 2nd runner-up.
“Resilience is not just about trying again —it’s about learning, adapting, and growing stronger with every challenge,” Odhiambo commented following his achievement. “My journey with ABH has proven that perseverance and continuous improvement are the keys to success.”
Odhiambo’s resilience didn’t start with ABH. His entrepreneurial path began years earlier with several ventures that put his ability to handle challenges to the test. As a new university graduate, he tried different business ideas, and each experience shaped his view on what it takes to succeed. To him, resilience isn’t about trying again; it’s about adapting, learning, and seeing failures as stepping stones instead of setbacks. His take on failure is straightforward: Every mistake teaches you something, and every challenge gives you a chance to grow. This outlook has helped him turn challenges into opportunities for growth, shaping him into the business leader he is today.
Solutech Limited: Growing through determination
At the core of Odhiambo’s journey is Solutech Limited, a company he co-founded with the dream of transforming enterprise software solutions in Africa. Back in 2014, the rapid growth of Kenyan manufacturers and distributors highlighted some serious challenges—like a lack of field visibility, operational hiccups, and poor decision-making.
These issues meant that many companies were struggling to grow, often seeing little to no progress, and facing low employee productivity. Recognising this gap in the market, Odhiambo and his fellow founders, Mutie Mule, Rayyidh Bayusuf, and Jinal Savla, set out to make a difference. They formed an all-in-one SFA software, known as Solutech SAT, designed to support small, medium, and large manufacturing and distribution companies, as well as sales and marketing agencies across Africa.
Resilience has been a key ingredient in the company’s success story. From building partnerships to scaling operations and fine-tuning its product offerings, perseverance has finally paid off. The US$150,000 (approx. KES19.5 million, UGX552.2 million) prize from ABH will elevate Solutech into its next growth phase, enabling the company to broaden its reach, upgrade its technology, and further strengthen its position in the market.
Odhiambo’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs
Looking back on his journey, Odhiambo shares some valuable insights for fellow entrepreneurs: Firstly, perseverance is essential. “Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, see them as chances to learn and grow,” he said.
Secondly, every experience is a learning opportunity. Whether you face a failed pitch or a business deal that didn’t go your way, there’s always something valuable to take away from it. Also, make the most of platforms like ABH. They aren’t about securing funding; they also provide helpful networking opportunities, mentorship, and exposure that can help take your business to new heights. Build a solid team, because no entrepreneur achieves success in isolation. Having the right people around you can make a world of difference.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of networking and mentorship. The right connections can unlock doors that sheer persistence might not be able to.
