mLab Seeks To Develop New Skills That Will Support The Growth Of Start-Ups
mLab Seeks To Develop New Skills That Will Support The Growth Of Start-Ups. mLab is meant to inspire and connect a new generation of coders, innovators and start-ups as it aims to build a community that will transform our world through technology, design and data. Its labs are dedicated spaces that provide a range of services to entrepreneurs, innovators, makers, developers and digital creatives through its different programmes. It also hosts a number of partner events, workshops and trainings within its labs and technology partners can select to run mLab facilitated activities or simply work with their events team to assist with them with setup and arrangements.
The organisation invests in programmes dedicated to developing new skills, intellectual property and technologies to support the growth of new start-ups. It connects the digital market to digital talent through its three programme areas; Skills Acceleration, Start-up Acceleration and through its Development of Innovative Technologies. All mLab programmes are primarily focused on youth aged 18 – 35. Each programme has unique requirements and participants are selected through online applications, interviews and boot camps. Typical participants have a background in software development or ICT, are digital innovators or early stage entrepreneurs.
mLab runs the CodeTribe Academy which aims to drive inclusive digital innovation in South Africa. The coding programme provides training and work experience to talented youth in the townships to develop – Android, iOS and Web solutions. Participants are also up-skilled in cloud technologies, scrum agile project management and other soft skills to drive employment and self-employment. With over 500 developers trained and 48% being females, the programme assists graduates pursue employment and self-employment careers in ICT.
The Enterprise Development programme supports early stage digital-tech founders develop market ready offerings. Ultimately these stimulate job creation and revenue generation within the digital economy. Having contractually supported over 100 start-ups and hundreds more through its Ecosystem Development initiatives, mLab has multiple success stories from businesses in; Transport, Education, Agriculture, e-Commerce, Health and Professional Services amongst other sectors who have secured growth funding, created jobs as well as positively enriched the lives of the people who use the digital solutions.
Its Technology Development arm enables the development of digital solutions that address social and economic challenges. Project examples include solutions for gender based violence (Ahmed Kathrada Foundation), food security (Agriculture Research Council) and youth unemployment (the South African Presidency through the DSI) amongst other projects. mLab start-ups and coding academy graduates are included in the projects whenever possible to expose them to real life development opportunities.
