Francisco da Mata is a young computer science graduate and currently an incubatee of Orange Corners Angola. His startup, Frantec, focuses on making data more understandable for clients across Angola. We interviewed Francisco to know more about his entrepreneurial experience as an participant of Orange Corners programme.
Technology is here to help us. What we need to do now, is building strategies for it to make it more understandable.
How did you come across the programme?
“Just on Facebook! My friend and I were looking for incubation programmes. And then I came across the Orange Corners programme. I remember a friend of mine applying as well. I did a lot of research on how to apply properly and the documents that were needed, and then I did it!”
What do you think of the programme until now?
“I had my startup idea for so long, since 2008. I officially launched Frantec in September 2020. Partly because of lack of practical knowledge and entrepreneurial education, I decided to apply for the Orange Corners programme this year. Until now it has been very helpful as I learn so many things, from communication, marketing, to the use of social media. I am very happy to be a part of the incubation programme!”
If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.
What does Frantec do?
“Frantec is a data-driven startup, offering useful data insights to commercial, marketing companies, and human resources agencies. We provide them knowledge on how to apply data, that they can use to build new strategies and improve and monitor client relations. In this way, their businesses are more sustainable, as their client relations will last longer. Every company knows they need to use data, as this is the oil of the digital world. So, we entered the market with that idea, making businesses more aware on how to store, read and analyse their data. We now work with 10 companies across Angola.
“We are currently a team of four. One analyst, one software engineer, another data scientist and I am currently recruiting a marketing officer.”
“The first thing you need, if you want to dive into the world of entrepreneurship, is knowledge.
Why did you enter the Orange Corners programme?
“First and foremost, because I wanted to increase my knowledge and better understand how the data market works here in Angola. Also, I wanted to do a customer needs analysis. Secondly, I believe it was a good way to tackle problems we faced in our startup phase and improve Frantec. Thirdly, it is a great opportunity to show the world and the continent of Africa what we can do with data.”
So what do you think of being an entrepreneur so far?
“I wanted to do something special in the IT world, I wanted to help others. First, it was quite hard to become an entrepreneur as you lose security, which you have if you have a stable job for example. But, then I realised it is very rewarding to be an entrepreneur as it strengthens the relation with your clients. They don’t see you as a corporate business, they see you as a person.
“Entrepreneurship is a way to improve the fulfill and identify the needs of the people. Entrepreneurs try to find solutions. We from Frantech look at the market and know how to fulfill data needs. Entrepreneurship really helps to find the right solutions for the problems businesses experiences with clients.”
What are the benefits of technology for businesses, in your opinion?
“Technology is here to help us. What we need to do now, is building strategies for it to make it more understandable. That all starts with making data more understandable for people. What we do at Frantec, which is simplifying complex data problems, will not only save time, but also give our clients the capacity to focus on the main purpose of their business.”
“I wanted to do something special in the IT world, I wanted to help others.
What kind of advice would you give other entrepreneurs?
“The first thing you need, if you want to dive into the world of entrepreneurship, is knowledge. Reach out to other experienced entrepreneurs. If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. They can help you enter the market and improve your project. Don’t hesitate to discuss your problems with them. By networking you learn to understand more about entrepreneurship, and you will meet like-minded people who can help you further.
“Before the Orange Corners programme, I didn’t see myself as a real entrepreneur, because I didn’t have the practical training and knowledge yet. It was just me, going through books, trying to figure out what “being an entrepreneur” means. Because of the lack of knowledge and training, I hardly saw myself improving, as I was just feeding my knowledge on a basic level. But soon I realised that I had to go into a programme and surround myself with people that could help me take my startup to the next level! I look forward to where the programme will take me!”
