Alexander Odhiambo’s Sales Automation Company

Alexander Odhiambo’s Sales Automation Company. Fresh out of college and brimming with enthusiasm, Alexander Odhiambo began his career in information technology (IT). He quickly secured a job at a tech company reliant on donor funding, subsequently, marking his first step toward entrepreneurship. 

Alexander Odhiambo’s Sales Automation Company

However, his journey wasn’t smooth—it was filled with failures, persistence, and triumphs. Initially, he faced an unexpected challenge: his new employer struggled with funding, leaving him unpaid for six months.

Determined, Odhiambo turned to web development as a side hustle, eventually saving Ksh100,000 as startup capital. With this, he further partnered with a friend to open a fast-food restaurant in Nairobi. Initially promising, high power bills and operational expenses soon drained their finances. Realising the venture’s unsustainability, he closed the restaurant after eight months, learning a valuable lesson in the process.

Undeterred, Odhiambo thus embarked on another venture, this time in large-scale watermelon farming with a different friend. Yet again, challenges particularly arose due to low market demand and high marketing costs, resulting in another financial setback.

“It was then that my partners and I decided to fully focus on Solutech, which we had started while still employed,” Odhiambo recalls.

Overcoming Challenges: The Path to Building Solutech

Odhiambo and his team leveraged their IT expertise and collaborated with a neighbour who had strong industry connections. This partnership allowed Odhiambo’s team to focus on technical work while their neighbour handled business development. This collaboration significantly marked a significant turning point.

Their breakthrough arrived when a CEO from a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company sought a solution to monitor his van sales team. Recognizing the opportunity, Odhiambo’s team adapted their existing application. More so to meet the CEO’s needs, securing their first customer.

Solutech’s application transformed how companies collected and utilized data for decisions. It additionally, helped in enabling tracking of product availability, expiration, and competitor activity. Though the start was challenging, each obstacle became a learning experience. Understandably, this was teaching Odhiambo that failure was part of the journey.

Solutech’s Vision for Growth in Africa- Alexander Odhiambo’s Sales Automation

Odhiambo focused on steady, organic growth, prioritizing high-quality service for a select group of clients over rapid expansion. This approach paid off, and Solutech gradually expanded. Most importantly, attracting over 80 clients, including local and international manufacturers.

“We grew without fundraising, progressing from one client in 2014 to over 80 across nine countries. Even so, with 4,000 users in FMCG, pharma, and motor industries,” Odhiambo says.

Furthermore, by 2023, Solutech aimed to reach Sh130 million in revenue, relying on bootstrapping and reinvesting earnings. Additionally, a $50,000 Google Black Founders’ Fund grant further fueled growth. This consistently allowed them to expand their team and develop AI features.

Odhiambo specifically notes the challenges of building trust as a local African tech company. Nonetheless, step by step, Solutech demonstrated value, building credibility in the field. Looking ahead, Odhiambo envisions expanding Solutech across Africa. More so,  leveraging partnerships to overcome language barriers and broaden their reach.

Ultimately, Solutech aspires to be Africa’s top choice for sales automation, serving a vast corporate clientele and generating significant revenue. Alexander Odhiambo‘s Sales Automation Company.