From a bold idea to a global movement
It started during the COVID-19 pandemic — a time when the world was falling apart, but also coming together in unexpected ways. Eric Itugi, a young entrepreneur from Kenya, saw two things happening simultaneously: businesses drowning in operational work they couldn't afford to hire for, and talented professionals in emerging markets losing their livelihoods overnight.
The disconnect was staggering. On one side, founders in the U.S., U.K., and Australia were burning out trying to do everything themselves. On the other, university-educated professionals in Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, and beyond were desperate for meaningful work — not handouts, but real careers.
“I didn't want to build another outsourcing company. I wanted to build something that proved talent has no borders — that a virtual assistant in Nairobi can deliver the same quality as someone in New York, at a price that lets small businesses actually grow.”
Eric started by matching three VAs with three small business owners. The results were immediate: clients were saving 20+ hours a week, and the VAs were earning life-changing income. Word spread. Within six months, Zypria had 50 clients and a growing team of dedicated virtual assistants across East Africa.
Today, Zypria serves over 600 clients in 50+ countries, with a team of 250+ skilled professionals. We've evolved from a scrappy startup to a social enterprise that's proving a simple truth: when you invest in people, everyone wins.
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