African Bank to spur tech startups to greatness at GEW hackathon
African Bank is proud to be a strategic partner to this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), hosted by 22 On Sloane, the largest startup campus in Africa.
GEW is the world’s biggest celebration of innovators. It is aimed at empowering tech start-ups in more than 180 countries with a focus on emerging economies and previously disadvantaged communities. The event, now in its 15th year, comes to life in Bryanston from 13 to 20 November.
One of the highlights of the week will be the opportunity to participate in the 48-hour ‘Hackathon’, set to take place as part of GEW from 18 to 20 November.
The Hackathon will challenge 15 teams of entrepreneurs operating in the technology space to come up with digital solutions for different sectors and serve as a platform for these entrepreneurs to huddle and solve pressing business and technical challenges faced by many corporates and startups.
The GEW Hackathon aims to generate high value actionable ideas and product concepts by bringing together startups, developers, strategists and thinkers. With a focus on five key sectors, namely financial services, education, workforce, health and the Internet of Things, it will not only help boost a culture of innovation, idea sharing and effective collaboration and creativeness, but also critically test the technical competencies of young developers.
“Three of African Bank’s sharpest tech minds will be lending their skills and expertise to SMMEs acting as mentors to the participating tech-preneurs in the ‘Hackathon’ contest,” says African Bank Group Executive for Sustainability and Transformation, Edna Montse.
Montse and Unathi Mtya, African Bank’s Group Chief Information Officer, will also form part of the judging panel for this unique digital showdown, which offers the top five winners a tidy sum of R100 000 each in prize money!
In addition, Hackathon winners will have the opportunity to join 22 On Sloane’s Catalytic (Accelerator) Programme in 2023 where they can access up to R750 000 in funding.
“Our involvement in the Hackathon aligns closely with African Bank’s vision to extend our offerings and services to SMMEs,” Montse explains.
“We are delighted to be able to support and empower some of the many startups and budding young entrepreneurs at Global Entrepreneurship Week and cannot wait to experience the excitement and outcome of the Hackathon.”
To launch GEW, the Department of Small Business Development is hosted the Inaugural National Presidential SMME Awards on 13 November.
At the Hackathon awards on November 20, African Bank Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Bungane, will participate in a panel giving insight into “The Importance of Corporates in Championing SMME Development”.
