Meet Shruti Dowlath, UCT Shark Tank 2020 winner

Students pitched their business ideas to judges, which included Janine Basel, Alan Fok, Louise Mitchell and Joel van der Schyff. The top 8 were picked based on a criteria that evaluates every aspect of their businesses. Thereafter, contestants received coaching sessions to help them better their pitches and work on delivery.

This year's winner, Shruti Dowlath walked away with the top spot, walking away with prizes exceeding the value of R50,000.

Shruti Dowlath shares more about the student startup, UnifySA...

Can you tell us a bit about UnifySA?

UnifySA is a platform that aims to bridge the gaps in student entrepreneurship. Whilst universities are breeding grounds for entrepreneurship, students often let groundbreaking ideas fall away because they don’t have a team to help them execute.

As a university student, I realised that I can’t recruit people for my startup team if I don’t know people outside my faculty. UnifySA allows student entrepreneurs to list the skill sets that they need from team members and it also allows students with skillets to add value to a team.

This way we can help student entrepreneurs create their team.

When, how and why did you get started?

When lockdown began, I had an idea for an app that I wanted to make. As an accounting student, I quickly realised that I don’t have the skills to make an app, and unfortunately I don’t know students from other faculties who could help me. The outbreak of the pandemic didn’t help either, since I couldn’t ‘bump’ into people on campus. I was upset that I attend campus with some of the most talented people yet it was so difficult to find people for my team. I now understood why not many students led startups actually start. My idea for UnifySA began as a solution to a personal problem of mine.

What is the core function of UnifySA?

To help like-minded students find each other and collaborate on startups. This is done by getting students to join our community. Student entrepreneurs state the skillsets that they’re looking for from their team members, other students sign up by telling us their skills. We then unite the teams and help student entrepreneurs turn their ideas into a reality.

What are some of the obstacles you've had to overcome since starting out?

My biggest challenge thus far was finding the correct members for my team, who were just as passionate about my purpose as I was. It really got me thinking about how many great ideas fall away purely because students don’t know the correct students to make it happen. Thankfully, the Shark Tank opportunity gave me great exposure and so many students approached me, eager to collaborate.

What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs?

There is this misconception that you need to be older and more established to be an entrepreneur and I think that’s why so many students put it off and delay their dreams to ‘one day.’

The biggest advice that I would give to any aspiring student entrepreneur is to take the leap of faith and begin. You’ll never regret an experience if you learn from it.

Reach out to people who inspire you and ask for opportunities to learn from them. It’s genuinely so encouraging seeing how many professionals are eager to help a student who is willing to learn.

What has been your proudest achievement thus far?

My biggest achievement thus far has definitely been winning UCT Shark Tank 2020. It’s so encouraging to know that the Sharks saw so much potential in my idea. I was one of the only finalists who were still in the ideation phase, most of my competitors had prototypes or plans for prototypes – I just had an idea and my passion for bringing students together.

What does the future of entrepreneurship look like to you?

To me, the future of entrepreneurship is transforming towards a digital space. Given the restrictions of the pandemic I was unable to meet with my co-founders, but this did not stop our progress or tone-down our determination. I didn't have to compromise and halt the development of my idea, this has just intensified my belief that I chose the right team for the job.

What do you think is the importance of startup accelerator/incubator programmes?

As a student entrepreneur, I’ve learnt that there is so much that I still have to learn. Choosing an incubator can make the biggest difference to your company – if you choose the correct one. If you choose a program that aligns with your values as a company, it can help grow your idea and make you aware of so many things that you would have never considered.

What would you like to see changed in the South African startup landscape?

People often talk about how the youth is the future and entrepreneurship is vital for South Africa’s growth. Yet, people never join the two and encourage student entrepreneurship. UCT Shark Tank changed my life, I hope for a startup landscape with more initiatives like this. More platforms for students to bring their ideas to life, more people encouraging students to take the leap of faith and begin.

What do you believe are the traits an entrepreneur needs in order to succeed?

Personally, I think that every entrepreneur needs to have passion and confidence in their idea and purpose. It’s easy to sell people on your idea when you believe in it wholeheartedly. When you shift your purpose from profit to leaving people better off than you found them, you’ve already succeeded.

Tell us about your biggest struggles as an entrepreneur, as well as some major highlights.

A significant challenge that I faced was funding.

I was under the impression that nobody would invest in my idea unless I had a prototype – I was so wrong.

Winning UCT Shark Tank proved to me that investors are willing to invest in your idea, you just have to believe in it.

Why would you encourage someone to become an entrepreneur?

Growing a thought into an idea and eventually into a business plan – is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done.

Becoming an entrepreneur gives you the opportunity to interact with so many people from different professions whilst still giving you the platform to make a difference in people’s lives.

I’ll admit that the satisfaction of telling people that you’re a CEO at 21 isn’t too bad either.

Where would you like to see UnifySA in the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, I plan to see UnifySA stay true to its name and Unite South Africa. The pandemic has shown us that many times the people that we work with don’t have to be with us in person. Keeping that in mind, I envision a platform that promotes student collaboration on a national level through uniting South African students from all provinces.