As part of SME South Africa’s continued exploration of the talent that lies in South Africa’s incubators/accelerator ecosystem, we will be taking a look at Seed Academy which offers entrepreneurial training to entrepreneurs and early-stage startups.
About Seed Academy
Seed Academy launched in 2013 in Johannesburg, they have since expanded to Cape Town. Their focus is on the tech space but other businesses outside tech which are scalable can be considered. Their goal is to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses through the right training, business support and funding.
Their core offerings include developmental workshops, accredited core skills training, business support and funding.
To date, Seed Academy has trained and provided business support and mentorship to over 600 entrepreneurs – 68% are still in business and on average, these entrepreneurs create three jobs per enterprise.
We take a look at businesses that have been trained and supported by the Seed Academy since its launch – these are startups with an innovative offering and are generating excitement.
1. StockShop
Founder: Annabel Dallamore, CEO of Stock Shop
About: Stockshop.co.za is an education, information and product platform offering valuable content and product access for beginners as well as for more sophisticated investors. They are working to help ordinary South Africans to invest on the stock market. They offer free personal guide to the stock market teaching users to trade and invest.
2. Ninja Marketing
Founders: Danny Nochumsohn and Donna Hirschson
About: Ninja is a marketing agency specialising in business-to-business online marketing. The startup offers an integrated approach to help clients achieve significant returns on investment. They offer tailored solutions including website development, SEO, social media and email marketing .
3. Moms List
Founder:Richard and Caroline Lawrence
About: Moms List is a social marketplace for mothers, offering everything from baby and child services to goods for sale (new and used) through the website or app. The website is only accessible to registered users who are, once registered, allowed to create listings or respond to them. Users can also be rated by members, providing a measurement for trust.
4. SweepSouth
Founders: Aisha Pandor and Alen Ribic
About: Sweep South provides a convenient way to book home cleaning services online from a phone, tablet or computer, connecting clients to cleaners in minutes. The startup has been hailed as the Uber of cleaning services. By bringing technology into the process, Sweep South aims to modernise the domestic cleaning services industry.
5. IDWork
Founder: Arjun Khoosal and Sayo Folawiyo
About: ID Work enables small, independent home service providers like electricians, plumbers and handymen to showcase themselves through an online and mobile platform. These profiles are searchable by homeowners, who may use ID Work to find a provider. Each of the service providers is vetted by ID Work which currently only operates in the Gauteng area.
6. MoWallet
Founder: Desmond Mongwe
About: MoWallet develops digital marketing solutions for brands. The platform provides digitised retail coupons that are redeemed at spaza shops. The solution appeals to FMCG brands and distributors, banks, network operators and informal retail shops.
Mongwe who is the CEO of MoWallet won the #Hack.Jozi Challenge in 2015.
7. GreenSolns
Founder: Murendeni Mafumo
About: GreenSolns develops solar powered water purification systems for use in retail, emergency as well as health facilities most in need of drinking water. Their systems produce 60x more water, which is 17x more energy efficient, and reduces waste by 7 orders of magnitude compared to reverse osmosis. Its tested systems can produce clean safe drinking water for any industry or family at just a few cents.
8. SY
Founders: Tshidiso Radinne and Thabu Siwedi
About: SY is an on-demand technology company that provides access to bespoke tailoring services to both men and women. All their tailoring services are made available on the app. Users provide their measurements, fabric selection and get to touch and feel their fabric and receive a one-on-one interaction just as they would in a brick and mortar store through subsequent fittings.
9. Studio40
Founders: Matete Lehloenya
About: Studio40 is a graphic design-focused brand agency offer full-service creative professionals who provide innovative designs for print, websites and various online solutions. Services include branded stationery, annual and financial reports, cms websites, YouTube and sales promo videos, illustrations, 3D drawings and more. The business offers unbeatable prices for innovative design services for all types.
10. Wazi Parking
Founders:Xola Ndziba
About: Wazi Parking offers technology that recognises your car’s number plate, opens the boom at the entry and exit and automatically rewards you with free parking via an app. Over and above the free parking experience, users receive the ultimate parking convenience. Users no longer have to worry about carrying coins, waiting in long queues at pay stations or carrying and losing parking tickets.
