African technology accelerator Sw7 has opened what it says is the first technology innovation hub in the Johannesburg northern suburbs.
@Sw7 Workspace, which will offer flexible packages and initially cater to around 100 members, is on the Gautrain bus route and located just off the highway, offering easy access to Sandton, Rosebank, the CBD and Pretoria.
It has been launched on the basis Sw7 believed there was a gap in the market for an independent hub to support the tech community in northern Johannesburg.
“The Gauteng technology innovation market is a business market like any other, so a productive work environment, a fibre internet connection, printing, secure parking, a nice outside area and above all, easy traffic access, are important factors. We have also found that a location that allows easy access for the mentor pool and business community is key,” said Keith Jones, Sw7 co-founder.
The focus will be on offering technology businesses a great place to work at competitive prices, and offers a strong network through the Sw7 community and the incubators and accelerators it works with.
The space opens for business on November 1, offering flexible part-time membership to full membership with dedicated desks, and meeting rooms catering for groups of six through to 100.
“Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely journey and being part of a community of like minded people that are grappling with similar challenges is stimulating and uplifting. The ideal community member would be a software product business that is post revenue or funded with between one and ten staff members. Our goal is to connect these businesses with the commercial markets, so they need to be ready for this to get value,” said Jones.
“Sw7 will soon be launching their digital acceleration platform and marketplace Activate and the @Sw7 community will get full access to this platform as part of the deal.”
