Vulnar ignites innovation in local software space
Otlarongwa Kgweetsi | Tuesday May 20, 2025 13:51
The fully citizen-owned software development company, which is based in Gaborone, has since its formation positioned itself as a provider of practical digital tools tailored for the Botswana market and addressing operational inefficiencies faced by local businesses. Vulnar Systems’ focus has been clear from the beginning; build user-friendly, reliable systems that solve everyday business problems in sectors ranging from hospitality and tourism to finance, education and local government. In an interview with BusinessMonitor, Otsile Otshabeng, Vulnar’s IT Manager, explained how the business came to life.
“The vision for Vulnar stemmed from a passion to solve local business inefficiencies through technology,” he said. “We noticed that many businesses in Botswana were struggling with manual processes, customer retention, and limited tech support. Vulnar was created to bridge that gap by delivering high-quality, user-friendly, and industry-specific software solutions that are both scalable and future-ready,” he said. Amongst the company’s core products is RecollectPlus, a debt collection and management system used by financial service providers and municipalities to automate tracking, generate reports, and streamline collections. Other key tools include KitchenPro for restaurant operations, WashQ for laundromats, and Homsypms, a hotel management system covering reservations, billing, and housekeeping. According to Otshabeng, Vulnar’s approach is not to push pre-made products, but to work closely with clients to build software that fits their workflows. “We don’t believe in giving a client a tool and expecting them to change their process around it,” he said.
“We develop software based on what their business already does. That way, the technology enhances their operations instead of complicating them.” Vulnar’s client base reflects this consultative and context-sensitive model. It includes organisations such as Botswana Tourism Organisation, Ba Isago University, Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Cene Media, Goo-Moremi Gorge, and Tsabong Camel Park. Each of these clients uses Vulnar’s software for specific operational needs, from managing bookings to improving service delivery and automating communication. One of the company’s most significant developments in recent years is Loapi.ai, Botswana’s first artificial intelligence platform. The system includes AI-powered call agents and WhatsApp bots that automate customer service and lead generation processes. “With Loapi.ai, we’re not just keeping up with global AI trends, we’re setting the pace locally,” said Otshabeng. “Bots don’t need to be complicated or expensive. If they can help a business respond faster or automate reminders, then they’re already making a difference,” he added. Like many start-ups, Vulnar began without external financial backing. “Vulnar started as a bootstrapped venture, built from the ground up by the founder using personal savings and reinvested revenues,” said Oratile Otshabeng, the company’s Operations Manager. “While we’ve explored partnerships and project-based funding, the majority of our growth has been organically fueled by our client’s trust and our team’s relentless commitment,” she said. Oratile oversees the implementation of projects, manages operations, and ensures that client feedback is translated into practical improvements. “We don’t launch products and move on,” she noted. “We revisit our systems, adapt them, and continuously update based on real user input,” she emphasised.
Internally, Vulnar invests in mentorship and skill-building. Winnet, a sales and marketing intern currently with the team, described her experience as formative. “Being at Vulnar has exposed me to real-world innovation,” she said. “We’re not just selling software, we’re educating clients and shifting mindsets about what’s possible with the right digital tools,” she added. Vulnar has faced familiar challenges, including market resistance to new technology, limited access to early-stage funding, and the difficulty of retaining tech talent in a competitive environment. Still, the company continues to expand, with an eye on the SADC market and further development of AI-powered solutions. “We’re entering an exciting growth phase,” Otsile noted. “Our focus is on scaling Loapi.ai across sectors such as customer service, municipal debt recovery, e-commerce automation, travel and hospitality, and education technology,” she noted. For Vulnar, the priority remains unchanged, to build tools that work, solve real problems, and reflect the realities of doing business in Botswana. As Oratile put it, “We’re not here to impress people with buzzwords. We’re here to deliver software that actually makes life easier for the people using it,” she ended.