SqwidNet, the licensed Sigfox IoT network operator in South Africa, hosted its second IoT Entrepreneurship Program (IoT)E pitch day on Friday 19 July 2019. The Jonga team participated as one of seven finalists.
Seven finalist groups, selected from a group of 60 prospective entrepreneurs and ICT business owners over the course of a year, presented their ideas to a panel of potential investors with the goal of making a tangible difference to society. Some of the intelligent offerings from the aspiring entrepreneurs included smart security, smart gas monitoring, a smart hand sanitiser, and a smart medical kit, all focused on providing relevant solutions to some of South Africa’s most pressing challenges.
The finalists included Inobeshon, Jonga Systems, tekSolve, devXpress, The Awareness Company, Mkazi Concepts, and Line of Sight Technology (L.O.S.T).
The Jonga Systems solution is an IoT premises-monitoring tool that provides deeper home security using motion sensor devices, push notifications, and programmable contact numbers and an audible alarm to scare off the intruders.
The event and the success of the (IoT)E network have been driven by partnerships with T-Systems and Business Doctors, two of SqwidNet’s partners who have ensured the growth and remarkable results of the programme.
“Our (IoT)E programme was designed to ignite innovation in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector and to empower entrepreneurs interested in developing their skills and knowledge,” says Sean Laval, Executive: Solutions and Innovations at SqwidNet. “The first batch of 60 entrepreneurs were selected based on the unique flavour of their ideas and the potential they had. Over the past year, we have worked with them to hone these ideas, providing them with webinars, expert advice, and business support. We then selected the final seven groups to go through to the pitch day where they could present these ideas to investors.”
“The (IoT)E programme has allowed us to attract people who are passionate about solving problems using the advanced potential of IoT and technology,” concludes Laval. The finalists showcased solutions that not only solve challenges facing South Africa, but that have global ramifications as well. We took entrepreneurs who had ideas but limited tools to make their ideas into a reality and gave them what they needed. The result is a mix of powerful, inspirational and relevant IoT-enhanced solutions that are set to achieve great things.”
This is an adaptation of an article entitled, “SqwidNet’s IoT Entrepreneurship Program (IoT)E serves up smart solutions to South African challenges” on the ITWeb website.
