silicon cape

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The VisionThe Silicon Cape vision is of an ecosystem in

the Western Cape of South Africa, that serves to attract and bring together local and foreign investors, the brightest technical talent, and the most promising entrepreneurs, to foster the creation and growth of world-class IP start-up companies in an environment that competes with other similar hubs around the world against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful settings and pleasant places to live, work and play on the globe.


The ConceptThe concept of the Silicon Cape is not owned

or controlled by any single entity. It is a living community and an organic, ever-developing concept in the hearts and minds of every participant, which endeavours to catalyse the local IP entrepreneurial community. As a community member, come and be a part of the genesis of turning the Silicon Cape into reality.


The InitiativeThe initiative aims to start a conversation -- to

plant a seed and foster the concept of the Silicon Cape in people’s minds and on their lips around the world as the emerging Silicon Valley of Africa, and to create an environment and a perception of the area as a world-class location and destination that is not only capable of delivering but already is. This will in turn create real benefits for the Cape and it’s residents and stakeholders, and assist in attracting further foreign direct investment into South Africa.


The Event• The Shared Vision• The Challenges• The Future• Johann Rupert• Panel discussion• Dr Mamphela Ramphela• Helen Zille


The Shared Vision

Serial and parallel entrepreneur and investor. Passionate #SiliconCape envangelist. Lover of great cars and other fast things.

Web: http://www.justinstanford.com Twitter: @JustinStanford

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/justins

Current projects: Co-founder of nurture capital company @4DiCapital, and Co-founder of The Silicon Cape Initiative, among many other projects on the go!

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.Justin Stanford QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture. Vinny Lingham

• Co-founder : Silicon Cape Initiative

• CEO : Yola.com

• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/vinnylingham

• Blog: http://www.vinnylingham.com


The Shared Vision• Cape and SA has the potential and

opportunity to become the Silicon Valley of Cape Town

• Why the “Silicon Cape”• Build global companies and take

them to profitability“Early beginnings of an ecosystem that wants to develop due to

emerging opportunities and awareness”


The Shared Vision• What is needed?

– Investor-friendly environment– Entrepreneur-friendly environment

• Silicon Initiative– Non-profit, community owned creation of an

ecosystem– Branding campaign– Awareness campaign– Platform to highlight issues


The Challenges: Andrea Bohmert

• Co-managing partner of Hasso Plattner Ventures Africa, a venture capital fund focused on taking South African technology leaders globally




The Challenges: Andrea Bohmert

• The Vision• The ecosystem• Culture• Scale

PASSION + COMMITMENT




The Future:Laurence Olivier

• The world is flat• Opportunity: leapfrog older tech

cycles• Silicon Valley community =

success recipe


The Future:Laurence Olivier

• Secret sauce for Israeli success• Traditional SA tech model• Israeli model• Government involvement• Entrepreneurial culture

CREATIVE RISK-TAKERS


Johann Rupert• Confluence: Time + Geography• Globalised society• We cannot survive if we export our

best material




Johann Rupert• Power of individual vs power of state• Look after the young people• Tax-free zone in WC• Entrepreneurs create jobs

Never scare the donkey that carries the china




Panel• Tyler Reed

Entrepreneur & Speaker on all things web andmobile. CEO & Founder of TinyImpact.



• Patrick Lawson

Entrepreneur and owner of Dataweb Consulting


• Llew ClaasenVP Online Marketing & Products - Clickatell


Panel• Justin Spratt

Founder: IS SolutionQuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

• Brett Commaille: InVenFinVanture capitalist with a passion for globally innovative ideas driven by entrepreneurial individuals.

• Henk KleynhansSkyrove





Dr Mamphela Ramphele• The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is a new public entity that is aimed

at stimulating and intensifying innovation and inventions in order to improve the economic growth as well as enhance the quality of life of all South Africans by developing and exploiting technological innovations and interventions and creating an enabling environment wherein these could be commercialized.

• The TIA will be managed and controlled based on the provisions of the TIA Act, which was signed into law by President Kgalema Motlanthe in December 2008.

• The DST has since established a Project Management Office in preparation for migration of the various entities to TIA. The existing entities which will be incorporated into TIA are the:

• Biotechnology Regional Innovation Centres (BRICs), the Innovation Fund, AMTS, and the Tshumisano Trust.

• Once it is established, the TIA will be expected to stimulate the development of technology based products and services, by the public and private sector technology based enterprises, thereby developing a significant technology base for the country’s economy.



Nb link: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/new-agency-to-stimulate-technology-to-grow-the-economy-2007-07-27


Dr Mamphela Ramphele• Promote culture of innovation and use

of technology• Work with government -> collaborate

for skills development• Partnerships: Researchers, investors,

wider industry• Making SA citizens aware of importance

of IP




Helen Zille• Key variable for success: people• Ecosystem: enabler to work, live ,

grow• Knowledge economy: skills and

capital very important




Helen Zille• Create confidence in the future

IF WE CAN’T EXPORT IP,WE WILL EXPORT TALENT



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