The Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, has congratulated a South African mobile applications company, which today was selected as one of the top five innovative and entrepreneurial companies in the world.
Afroes took the third prize of USD 8 000 at the 5th Global Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship which ended in East London today and was chosen among top 50 companies which had entered the Dragon’s Den Pitching Competition.
An eminent jury consisting of angel investors, top policy makers and international donors judged the pitching firms on the criteria of commercial potential, long-term success and impact on society.
The Dragons’ Den was one of the highlights at the three-day Global Forum, organised by the World Bank’s infoDev, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Eastern Cape Province.
Founded by Ms Anne Shongwe, Afroes inspires the conversations and choices of young Africans through branded digital media and social responsible campaigns rooted in the African context. The start-up company is hosted by mLab in Pretoria at the Innovation Hub.
mLab Southern Africa CEO Derrick Kotze said “we are very excited that Afroes has won such a coveted prize. It is important for African based start-ups to get the opportunity to pitch in front of a global audience to win mind-share in the mobile innovation space. Anne is an amazing role model not only for young innovators and entrepreneurs but also for women across Africa.”
“This award allows Afroes to expand its market and partnerships on an international level and the Global Forum has facilitated a number of great opportunities to expand their services further across Africa and other continents like North America and Asia,” said Mr Kotze.
Afroes creates uniquely African mobile applications and tools for social development agencies and corporate enterprises keen to spread educational and branded messages across the continent. It also represents an unprecedented opportunity to deliver branded and education messages directly and repeatedly into the hands and pockets of potential customers and citizens across the continent and beyond.
Minister Hanekom reiterated that Africa was embracing its role in advancing the global innovation agenda, at the same time empowering citizens, creating jobs and growing the economy.
“African innovators like Afroes are increasingly receiving global recognition in important technology areas. Such success stories clearly illustrate the impact innovation can have,” said the Minister.
He said the DST supported research, development and innovation activities with the ultimate aim of contributing to a more competitive economy through the development of small enterprises, for example, and to an improved quality of life for people in the country and region.
Apart from Afroes, other South African companies that had entered the competition include Kuza Mobile, Khaya Power and Mobiflock. They were among the Top 20 of the Top 50 companies.
Apart from the award competition, the Global Forum was a platform to connect entrepreneurs with mentors, financiers and partners from around the globe, and to exchange ideas of how to create the right ‘eco-system’ for innovative firms.
The first to be held in Africa, the forum offered participants an opportunity to learn how innovations can boost job-led growth and tackle economic and social needs, while using the full power of the information, communication and green technologies.
For media enquiries:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 082 882 3818
E-mail: veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za
