While many university students are juggling their academic workload, Kelvin Mwaniki, 23, is balancing studies with something different – running a tech company.
As the CEO of G-Tech, a software development and IT consultancy firm, Mwaniki is proving that age is no barrier to entrepreneurship.
Registered in 2023, G-Tech, specializes in software development, mobile apps, and IT consultancy.
Mwaniki revealed that the company started with a modest capital of Ksh30,000.
Despite the economic challenges and its relative inexperience in the industry, the company has shown remarkable growth in a short period.
“We have made some good profit, I can say roughly 400,000 despite the economic challenges and being juniors in the industry in a short while but we’re progressing on well,” he added.
Foundation for G-Tech
It was born from Mwaniki’s desire to use technology to solve real-world problems. “I was driven by passion for a business idea that could make a significant impact to the society,” Mwaniki said.
Mwaniki being a fourth-year student at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton started the company while still pursuing his degree in Software Engineering.
The foundation for G-Tech was laid during one of Mwaniki’s final year projects.
In a twist of fate, being grouped with three classmates for a research assignment on electric vehicles led to the creation of a business partnership that would ultimately become G-Tech.
The group successfully developed an app for Nakuru County, which marked their first major project.
Inspired by this success, they formalized their collaboration into what is now G-Tech.
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In an interview with The Kenya Times, Mwaniki shared one of G-Tech achievements.
“One of our biggest achievements is delivering our clients systems and incorporating them successfully like the Doc & I project, Onlocum project and GasXpress project,” Mwaniki said.
How Mwaniki Balances Studies and Work
Running a company while studying is no easy task, but for Mwaniki, it comes down to time management and prioritization.
“I focused on identifying the most critical tasks for both my studies and G-Tech, ensuring I allocated time to what mattered most,” he explained.
His dual role has given him a unique perspective, allowing him to apply both academic theory and practical business experience.
Challenges
Being young, however, has not come without its challenges. “It’s sometimes difficult to be taken seriously by clients or investors,” Mwaniki admitted. “But I’ve learned to let my work speak for itself.”
Despite this, Mwaniki has ambitious plans for G-Tech. He envisions the company becoming a leading provider of IT solutions across Africa, driven by strategic partnerships and a focus on sustainability.
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He believes young entrepreneurs can play a crucial role in shaping the industry by focusing on social impact and leveraging collaboration.
“Kenya is a hub for innovation,” he said, emphasizing the importance of networking and mentorship.
Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
For students considering starting their own businesses, Mwaniki offered a simple advice: “Start now.” He believes the lessons learned from running a business while in school are invaluable.
“Stay focused on your goals, seek mentorship, and remember why you started,” he added.
Despite the pressures of running a company and being a full-time student, Mwaniki stays grounded through regular exercise and by drawing inspiration from Kenyan tech pioneer Morris Mbetsa.
“The late Johnever Glenn Villagomez, my entrepreneurship lecturer, provided the perfect foundation to turn this vision into reality,” he concluded.
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