U.S. Innovation Expert Cynthia Hellen Mentors Zim ...

U.S. Innovation Expert Cynthia Hellen Mentors Zim Startups on Sustainable Growth

Oscar J Jeke – Zim Now Reporter

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe recently hosted Cynthia Hellen, a Peruvian-born entrepreneur and global innovation leader, in a visit aimed at supporting Zimbabwe’s startup ecosystem through workshops, panel discussions, and one-on-one mentorship.

Hellen, Founder and CEO of RYLEN, a New York–based design and technology lab, has worked across the Americas, Africa, and Asia creating sustainable solutions for low-resource environments.

As a U.S. Department of State Technology Expert, she advises governments, entrepreneurs, and innovation hubs on ethical AI, circular economies, and frugal innovation.

Speaking in Harare, Hellen introduced herself: “My name is Cynthia Hellen, and I'm the founder and CEO of RYLEN. I was born in Peru, raised in New Jersey, and have worked as an innovator and business owner for nearly 15 years.

"I'm here on behalf of the U.S. Embassy and the State Department, focusing on a program specifically tailored for the startup community in Zimbabwe.”

She explained that the program was developed over several months, based on local insights gathered with the support of the U.S. Embassy.

“The U.S. Embassies are great connectors—they worked with us to understand the challenges of starting a business here in Zimbabwe.

Based on that data, we designed a program that includes workshops, panel discussions, a keynote address, and one-on-one consulting with founders and entrepreneurs.”

Although Hellen has engaged with startup communities globally for over a decade, this is her first visit to Zimbabwe. She said she has been impressed by the local innovation landscape.

“In the last 48 hours, what I've experienced and heard within this community of startups, innovators, and small business owners is that there are many ways to pursue your idea. The challenge is how to scale it—how to think locally and grow globally.”

During her sessions, Hellen shared practical guidance for scaling businesses, summarised in what she calls the “four Ps.”

“I gave them these four Ps as an example: building the right people, forging the right partnerships, creating the right funding model—whether from banks, investors, family, friends, or crowdfunding—and lastly, tracking metrics to ensure that what you're doing meets your goals while retaining customers and profitability.”

Hellen’s engagements in Harare brought together innovation financiers, research institutes, SMEs, startups, and hubs to explore pathways for inclusive economic growth and sustainable product development.