What LauncHER Engineer's Hub does

LauncHER Engineer's Hub is a Zambian non-profit organisation registered in Kitwe, Copperbelt, founded in September 2023 by three female engineers — Eng. Sitembile Ncube-Kaseka, Eng. Namwinga Siame-Chamululu, and Eng. Taperewa Namwinga-Kabwe — to advance UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The organisation's stated mission is to cultivate a supportive community where female engineers in Zambia can develop self-assurance, leadership, professional networks, and career-readiness skills. Its primary audiences are female engineering students, recent female engineering graduates, and a secondary cohort of high-school girls targeted for STEM outreach; a 20% reservation exists for male engineering students in the flagship peer mentorship program.

LauncHER delivers its impact through a calendar of programmatic events rather than a technology platform. Core offerings include a structured 6-month Peer Mentorship Program (March–August) culminating in a graduation ceremony, a December HR Month webinar series covering CV writing, job interviews, and financial literacy, university tours (Launcher Tour), mental health webinars co-hosted with YEZA, robotics camps for children run with Robotix Institute ZM, an Innovation & Entrepreneurship Chat series, and an Engineers Directory showcasing senior female engineers as role models. There is no proprietary software platform disclosed; delivery is conducted via partner universities, WhatsApp community groups, Google Forms enrollment, in-person events at venues such as the Link Park Conference Centre in Kitwe, and countrywide outreach. The organisation has reached over 2,000 engineering students, trained 3,500+ individuals, mobilised 41 volunteers, and built relationships with 8 universities across 3 countries.

The revenue model is multi-stream and characteristic of an early-stage community non-profit: membership fees collected via Google Forms, individual and corporate donations, corporate sponsorship underwriting of events (sponsors include Cecil Chams Limited, Ras Zambia Ltd, Benern Construction Ltd, TK Sounds, Serenity Creations, and others), and merchandise sales — specifically branded t-shirts priced at K150 (~US$5–6) sold via WhatsApp direct chat with countrywide delivery. The organisation lists 12 employees and 41 volunteers, has no disclosed investors or parent entity, and operates as an independent non-profit with no subsidiaries or M&A activity. Strategic partnerships with UNDP Zambia and the U.S. Embassy Zambia provide institutional validation, while partnerships with Copperbelt University's Robotics Club and Robotix Institute extend programming into youth STEM and innovation.

Name

LauncHER Engineer's Hub

Legal name

LauncHER Engineers Hub

Website

https://launcherenghub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LauncHER Engineer's Hub is a Zambian non-profit founded in 2023 that runs mentorship, skills-development, and STEM outreach programs for female engineering students, graduates, and high-school girls, delivered through university partnerships, events, webinars, and a volunteer network across 3 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering Mentorship and Community Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Computer Training (611420)

akta.pro primary industry

Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK), Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB)

Keywords

• Engineering mentorship programs
• Women in engineering
• STEM education outreach
• Engineering skills development
• Non-profit engineering community

Headquarters

HQ city

Kitwe

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The organization collects membership fees from members who join via Google Forms. Revenue supports the hub's mentorship, skills development, and networking programs.
2. Donations: LauncHER accepts donations from the public and corporate sponsors to fund youth engineering programs and initiatives.
3. Merchandise Sales: The organization sells branded LauncHER t-shirts and apparel at K150 per item. All proceeds are directed towards supporting youths in engineering through programs. Delivery is offered countrywide.
4. Sponsorship and Grants: LauncHER receives sponsorship funding from corporate partners (Cecil Chams Limited, Ras Zambia Ltd, TK Sounds, Serenity Creations, Benern Construction Ltd, and others) to fund events, university tours, and innovation challenges. Sponsorship funds cover event costs, donated PPE gear, and student support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LauncHER Engineer's Hub is a non-profit organization that provides mentorship, skills development, networking, and STEM outreach programs tailored to female engineering students, graduate engineers, and young women in Zambia. It delivers structured initiatives such as a Peer Mentorship Program, recurring webinar series (HR Month, Mental Health, Graduate Get Ready), university and high school outreach events, an Engineers Directory, and branded merchandise to support its community.

Product overview

LauncHER Engineers Hub is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive ecosystem of programs and services to support female engineers throughout their career journey. The core offerings include Industry Launch preparation services, Mentorship Programs (peer, horizontal, and vertical), Networking & Leadership opportunities, Skills Development (including entrepreneurship), and STEM Education outreach. Supplementary programs include the Peer Mentorship Program (March-August annual cycle), HR Month webinar series (December), Mental Health Webinars, Graduate Get Ready events, Introduce HER to Engineering Day, Launcher University Tours, CBU Innovation Challenge Sponsorship, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Chat events, Community Outreach, and Robotics for Kids (Robotix) coding camps. The organization also maintains an Engineers Directory and operates a merchandise shop to fund its initiatives. All programs are designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry while promoting diversity in engineering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Peer Mentorship Program Flagship cohort-based mentorship program pairing female engineering students and graduates in a structured peer mentorship curriculum, culminating in a graduation ceremony for participants.
• HR Month Webinar Series Recurring webinar series providing career readiness, employer engagement, intellectual property education, and freelancing guidance for female engineering students and graduates.
• Mental Health Webinar Webinar session focused on mental health awareness and support for female engineers, creating a safe space for open conversation on well-being in the engineering profession.
• Graduate Get Ready Career-launch preparation program for graduating female engineers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to transition from academia into the engineering workforce.
• Introduce Her to Engineering Day School outreach event that introduces young girls to engineering as a viable career path, supporting the pipeline of future female engineers in Zambia.
• Launcher Universities Tour University campus outreach initiative that engages engineering students across multiple institutions to raise awareness of LauncHER Engineer's Hub programs and recruit participants.
• CBU Challenge Innovation Sponsorship Sponsorship of the Copperbelt University Innovation Challenge, supporting engineering students in developing innovative solutions and entrepreneurial ventures.
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship Chat Discussion and webinar initiative fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among female engineers, bridging technical skills with venture creation.
• Community Outreach Program Broader community outreach initiative engaging stakeholders beyond core engineering students to build awareness of, and support for, female engineers in Zambia.
• Robotics for Kids (Robotix) STEM outreach initiative introducing children to robotics and engineering concepts, designed to spark early interest in engineering among young learners.
• Engineers Directory Curated directory of female engineers supporting visibility, professional networking, and connections between female engineers and potential opportunities.
• LauncHER Merchandise Shop Branded merchandise offering, including t-shirts, sold to support the organization's funding and community visibility. Orders are placed via direct WhatsApp contact.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,500 individuals trained through LauncHER programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Robotix Institute ZM InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Robotix Institute ZM Institute partnered with LauncHER Engineers Hub to deliver a 4-day Kids Coding and Tech Adventure camp from December 14-17. Robotix instructors worked hand-in-hand with LauncHER instructors to guide and mentor young participants in block-based programming (Tessa obstacle-avoiding robot) and game development using G-Develop. This partnership directly supports LauncHER's mission to promote STEM education among youth.
• YEZA (Youth Engineering Zambia Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYEZA co-hosted an insightful Mental Health Webinar with LauncHER in September 2024 titled 'Leveraging Self-awareness for Peak Performance.' The webinar, attended by 29 participants, featured therapist Ms Niza Lebo Phiri as guest speaker. The collaboration combines LauncHER's engineering community with YEZA's youth development focus.
• Whisper a Dream FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLauncHER participated in a community event organized by Whisper a Dream Foundation in partnership with Bayport on June 15. The event, held at Race Corse Primary and Secondary School in Chimwemwe, Kitwe, focused on menstrual hygiene donations and support for girls in schools. LauncHER provided career talks on engineering fields to encourage STEM participation.
• Cecil Chams LimitedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCecil Chams Limited was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation held on August 10, 2024 at Link Park Conference Centre in Kitwe. The company, a construction firm founded by Eng. Cecil Chams, also participated as a guest speaker at the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Chat event.
• Ras Zambia LtdcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRas Zambia Ltd was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation held on August 10, 2024 at Link Park Conference Centre in Kitwe.
• TK SoundsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTK Sounds was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation held on August 10, 2024 at Link Park Conference Centre in Kitwe.
• Serenity CreationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSerenity Creations was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation held on August 10, 2024 at Link Park Conference Centre in Kitwe. Founder Misozi Muyanga Sekeleti also spoke at the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Chat event.
• Pathways PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPathways Photography was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation, providing photography services for the event.
• BottleshopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBottleshop was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation.
• LyftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLyft was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation.
• Benern Construction LtdcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBenern Construction Ltd was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation held on August 10, 2024 at Link Park Conference Centre in Kitwe.
• Eng. Dr. Diana KangwaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEng. Dr. Diana Kangwa was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation and provided support for the event.
• Eng. Joseph MalisawacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEng. Joseph Malisawa, Founder and CEO of Extrusion Works Limited and DiTec Engineering Limited, was both a sponsor and guest speaker at the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation. He offered words of encouragement to graduates.
• Eng. Shumba YvonneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEng. Shumba Yvonne was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation.
• Eng. MatamandiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEng. Matamandi was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation.
• Eng. Elvis Kamba YavminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEng. Elvis Kamba Yav was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation.
• Ms Yasa MwelwaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMs Yasa Mwelwa was a sponsor of the inaugural Peer Mentorship Graduation.
• Copperbelt University (CBU) Robotics ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLauncHER Engineers Hub partnered with Copperbelt University's Robotics Club to co-host the CBU Challenge Innovation Sponsorship under the sustainability category. LauncHER sponsored five students (Kima Mwanaute, Hillary Chanda, Thandiwe Phiri, Naomi Kayembe, and Blessings Mbulo) to participate in the challenge with the project 'Sustainable EcoCreations' focused on waste recycling.
• UNDP ZambiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUNDP Zambia is featured as a collaborator on LauncHER's university tour and innovation challenge events. The partnership is referenced in promoting youth engineering initiatives, sustainability programs, and innovation challenges in Zambia.
• U.S. Embassy ZambiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe U.S. Embassy Zambia participated in the Launcher Universities Tour, with Ms. Katrina Ketty Kabaso from the embassy educating UNZA audiences on educational opportunities in the U.S., including scholarships and leadership programs for youth.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative): US-Government-backed leadership program for young African leaders including those in STEM. Adjacent/ecosystem player; USAID and State Department have partnered with LauncHER (U.S. Embassy Zambia), making this a related funder network.
• Engineering Tomorrow: US-based non-profit providing mentoring, scholarships, and engineering exposure to high school and college students. Adjacent — engineering mentorship and education mission aligned but US-geographic focus.

Direct peers

• WAAW Foundation: Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women — a non-profit running STEM scholarships, training, and outreach programs for African women. Direct mission alignment with LauncHER's female engineering focus and African geographic base.
• African Women in Technology (AWIT): A non-profit supporting African women in STEM and tech fields through training, mentorship, and networking. Comparable to LauncHER in mission (women in technical fields) and target member base.
• Women in Tech Zambia: Zambia-based chapter of the global Women in Tech movement, focused on increasing female participation in technology and engineering. Operates in the same country and target demographic as LauncHER.

Broad incumbents

• Society of Women Engineers (SWE): The largest global non-profit supporting women in engineering, with scholarships, mentorship, and career programs. Broader global incumbent operating across engineering disciplines; comparable in mission though not regionally specialized.
• Technovation Girls: Global non-profit running technology entrepreneurship programs for girls aged 10-18. Comparable in combining STEM education with entrepreneurship training, though targeting younger demographics.

Emerging players

• Mawja Foundation: Emerging non-profit focused on women in STEM/engineering across Africa. Smaller-scale player with similar mission but less mature programs than LauncHER.
• SheCodes Foundation: Non-profit providing coding and tech education to women from underserved backgrounds. Comparable in combining education + community model; differs in tech-coding focus vs. engineering discipline focus.

Regional players

• Copperbelt University (CBU) Robotics Club: Student-run robotics and innovation club at Copperbelt University, co-host partner of LauncHER's CBU Innovation Sponsorship. Operates in the same Zambian ecosystem; complementary rather than competitive.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/launcherengineershub
• Facebookfacebook.com/launcherengineershub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/launcher-engineer-s-hub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LauncHER Engineer's Hub