Silicon Cape, the organisation for supporting technology innovation and entrepreneurship in South Africa, launched their Africa-first 2021 Strategic Plan alongside a new membership model for those seeking to connect to the local and global tech scene.
The strategy aims to connect stakeholders, amplify the stories of the continent’s tech innovators, advocate on behalf of the ecosystem as a collective and build bridges with other hubs in order to grow the continent.
Included in the strategy is a new membership model that aims to grow connections within the ecosystem, aligning tightly to the latest research from Endeavor Insight, which revealed the broader Cape Town as Africa’s Tech Hub. The report emphasised this success was directly linked to how well networked the ecosystem is and highlighted the critical role that continued connections between stakeholders plays in maintaining vibrancy
The new membership model offers different paid-for plans that provide local and global innovation stakeholders curated access to the ecosystem, access to resources and marketing opportunities on the Silicon Cape platform. Plans start at R500.
Membership also incorporates bespoke tech tours to highlight what key startups and innovation spaces are doing for visitors to the ecosystem. There is also a strong focus on building the networks for student entrepreneurship to capitalise on and accelerate the rising number of student ventures.
According to the organisation, the shift away from a single source of corporate or government donor funding aligns to the strategic goal to stimulate inclusivity and ensures long-term financial sustainability.
