Start-up training in Zimbabwe: find a business idea that will sell
Want to start a business but not sure what to sell? Most new businesses that close never tested their idea on real customers. In about two weeks, a few minutes at a time on your phone, you find, test and choose an idea that fits you and your market, before you spend a dollar on it.
▶▶ Watch the short introduction to the course on YouTube
What you walk away with
- ✔At least ten real business ideas, drawn from your own area
- ✔Your best ideas tested with real customers and business owners
- ✔A one-page Business Idea Summary and a dated Action Plan
- ✔Feedback from a SMEAZ consultant, and a certificate anyone can verify
See the prices Start the course
Proven training, used around the world
This course is adapted for Zimbabwean conditions from the International Labour Organization’s Generate Your Business Idea programme, part of the ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme, and is delivered by SMEAZ trainers certified in it.
Owners who took this training have started businesses, created jobs and raised their profits. Read the ILO’s 2025 success stories →
Choose how you want to learn
Self-paced online
On your phone or computer, in short sessions, whenever suits you. An AI coach comments on your answers and a SMEAZ consultant reviews your work.
Webinar
Everything in self-paced, plus live group webinars on Zoom with a certified trainer: ask your questions, discuss your work and learn with other owners. Dates are announced in the course WhatsApp group.
Live class
Everything in self-paced, plus training days at a venue with a certified trainer, printed manuals and catering. 2 training days. Register now; you pay once the date and venue are confirmed.
Already have the self-paced course? Add a webinar or a live class on the course page and pay only the difference. Pay by EcoCash or Paynow; the self-paced course opens as soon as your payment is confirmed.
Where two prices are shown, the first is for paid-up Small Enterprise, Medium Enterprise and Corporate members, and the second is for everyone else, including Standard members, Start-up members and non-members.
About the course
Find the business idea that fits you and your market, and test it before you spend a dollar on it.
Most new businesses that close do so because the idea was never tested. This course takes you from "I want to start something" to one chosen idea, checked against real customers. Adapted for Zimbabwean conditions from the International Labour Organization’s Generate Your Business Idea programme.
Who it is for
- People who want to start a business and have not settled on an idea
- People with several ideas who cannot choose between them
- People in a job or studying who want to prepare properly before they start
What you will do
About 12 hours in all, roughly half on screen and half in the field. Most people finish in about two weeks, a few minutes at a time.
- Welcome (30 minutes). What the course is and how it works.
- You as an entrepreneur (1.5 hours). Check whether you are ready to run a business, and which fields and types of business suit you.
- What makes a business idea (1.5 hours). The five things every good business idea must answer.
- Build your idea list (4.5 hours, 3 of them in the field). Interview business owners, survey your area, brainstorm, and list at least 10 ideas.
- Choose your best idea (3 hours, 2 of them in the field). Screen your list, plan a field study, and run a SWOT analysis on your top ideas.
- Your business idea (1 hour). Write your Business Idea Summary and Action Plan, and send them to your consultant.
What you leave with
- A Business Idea Summary: one tested idea, who will buy it and why you chose it
- An Action Plan with dated next steps
- A Certificate of Completion once your consultant approves your summary
How the self-paced course works
- Work on your phone or computer, in short sessions. Your answers are saved as you go.
- Every exercise is about your own business, not a textbook case.
- An AI coach comments on your key answers and asks the questions a consultant would ask.
- A SMEAZ consultant reviews your finished work and replies with comments.
- Your certificate carries a number and a QR code that anyone can check on our website.
Ready to start?
Start the course Join as a Potential Start-up member Join the live class group
You will be asked to log in to your SMEAZ website account first. No account yet? Registering is free and takes two minutes.
What comes next
Start Your Business turns your chosen idea into a business plan. Your Business Idea Summary carries across, so you do not start from scratch.
Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.