Cape Town incubator the Bandwidth Barn has announced the seven startups chosen to proceed to the second phase of its InnoTech accelerator programme, where they will receive support in launching their products as well as business development support to the value of ZAR20,000 (US$1,500).
Disrupt Africa reported in July the Bandwidth Barn launched InnoTech, focused on web and mobile application development, software development and design and gaming, and looks to stimulate the creation of new businesses and support the growth of existing startups through the uptake of technology and innovation capability.
The programme was rolled out as part of a three-year multimillion rand partnership with part state-owned operator Telkom, aimed at developing and operating accelerator programmes for tech entrepreneurs.
Fifteen black-owned businesses were selected to join the programme and went through an eight-week journey assessing the commercial viability of their ideas. The entrepreneurs developed a variety of concepts, ranging from online tutoring programmes to printing solutions.
Final pitches took place in late October, with seven of the businesses now having been selected to continue to the second phase of the programme, which will see them receiving business and technical support to launch their product into the market as well as customised business development support worth ZAR20,000 (US$1,500).
“The InnoTech Fellows have really impressed us by turning their interesting ideas into strong, exciting business proposals in just eight weeks,”said Michelle Matthews, innovation programme manager at the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi).
“They have been equipped with concepts and tools that will serve them well throughout their entrepreneurial journey.”
