If you’re a tech startup who missed out on the first City of Joburg #HackJozi startup challenge last year, you can now enter for the chance to win a R1 million grand prize in the competition’s second edition this year.
HackJozi is a parternship between the city’s Department of Economic Development and Wits University’s Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) which seeks out tech entrepreneurs based in the city, with the most innovation products and/or services catering for citizens.
“We aim to accelerate visionary entrepreneurs in the ICT sector. This is important because ICT is central to improved productivity, economic growth and job creation,” Joburg’s Executive Director for Economic Development, Ravi Naidoo, said in a statement.
“If you have an idea about how you can use technology to help your community and grow the economy, we want to hear from you,” Naidoo added.
Startups should address challenges in the following categories:
- General
- Public spaces/tourism
- Smart infrastructure
- Economic development
The deadline for submissions is Friday, 25th March.
Thereafter, 100 contestants will be selected from applications to be offered after-hours entrepreneurship and business training that will help them to refine the ideas at the Tshimologong Precinct in Braamfontein.
The top 100 will then be narrowed down to 20 who will receive additional business mentorship.
Up for grabs is a total of R5 million in prizes. The grand prize winner will receive R1 million, first and second runner up get R350 000 and all top ten startups, including to the top three, will get business support and a one year membership in the Tshimologong Precinct Hub, worth R250 000.
Last year’s winner was Desmond Mongwe, CEO and founder of MoWallet, a couponing startup targeting township tuck shops.
