Entrepreneur

Women in Tech of the Month: Kelly Hoffman

Nov 29, 2021 in CEO, Entrepreneur, Profiles, Woman of the Month, Women in Tech

Name: Kelly Hoffman
Designation: CEO and Digital Navigator
Company: Vocalysd.ai

What do you do every day?
I spend countless hours understating with a hands-on approach of every aspect of my new start-up and taking strategic steps to build something great. Something that genuinely makes a difference and aligns AI with human performance – I am not here to replace the people element, I am here to enhance it. I get my hands dirty, I intrench myself in all aspects and (at times to my own detriment) go at full speed to achieve results. So, in short: I never sit still. I also drink a lot of tea 🙂

How did you get into the tech space?
By accident, out of necessity to be frank. Yes, I feared this monstrous word “tech” (due to zero experience) BUT with a genuine and passionate love for business development – I took on a role to open the African leg of an established global software player – Initially focused (and still do) on the growth factor, but one has to know what they are selling and believe in the product. My love affair began – I am resourceful, and okay with asking for help. I don’t have to be the “know-it-all” in the room. I have learnt from my peers and continue to do so. This very experience led me to build my own baby. A work in progress (soon to be launched) – “Designed and developed by South Africans, for South Africans” FYI – not a competitor product to what I do now, I have integrity and loyalty 🙂

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Mandela (true story – he keeps me going) ” Nothing is impossible until it is done” – every week I learn more, accomplish more and love what I do. I feel less “stupid” than the week before, and proud of the little steps I take. I am empowered by the knowledge and industry I envelope myself in. Yes, tech is exciting, and I am obsessed BUT my greatest teachers are the people I engage with daily!

I literally take baby steps (realistic to me and my understanding), and his words and example remind me to keep pushing and to never give up!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into tech?
Remain human. Be authentic. Tech is fun and share that passion with others. Allow your mind to be stretched and listen to your audience. Technology is constantly evolving, enjoy the ride but above all, always be ethical and stand by good practice. lastly, it is okay to be the student, in fact that’s the best position to hold. Have fun and be kind to yourself.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
Mmmm… interesting as this involves multiple factors that may not be tech related (directly that is), however – family! Building a legacy, I am proud of and my children will benefit from gets me excited every day! I also am completely addicted to innovation, data and all kinds of self-growth.

Vocalysd, a start-up is my own version of “Kelly’s MBA” – I want to envelop myself in every aspect, understand from the bottom up. So, when I stand before others, and the head of a boardroom table of a global monster – I earned that seat, I deserved it and I have the knowledge and experience to back it up.

My true aspirations are more around business growth and becoming a CEO of a power-house tech company, that absolutely drove innovation and changed lives. Its way more than just a title.

Finalists announced for 2020 Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Awards

Nov 6, 2020 in Awards, Entrepreneur, News

AWIEF logo
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 4, 2020/APO Group/ — The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org), a leading pan-African entrepreneurship and innovation non-profit, has announced the top finalists for the 2020 edition of its AWIEF Awards.

The annual AWIEF Awards, through a nomination process, identifies and celebrates the best female entrepreneurs across multiple industries in Africa.

Promoting and supporting excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation amongst women-owned businesses in all sectors and across all 54 African countries, is the aim of AWIEF which hosts the sixth edition of its prestigious and benchmarking annual Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum Conference, this year as a virtual event, on 2nd and 3rd December 2020.

Twenty-four women founders and entrepreneurs, driving economic growth and development for Africa, have been selected as finalists for 2020 AWIEF Awards, from different African countries, across 8 different categories.

According to Irene Ochem, AWIEF founder and chief executive officer, “This year more than ever, it is vital to acknowledge and celebrate women entrepreneurs in Africa for their leadership and innovation. The impact of the global pandemic has been disproportionate and devastating, and women are showing exceptional resilience.”

The 2020 AWIEF Awards winners will be announced on 3 December at the awards ceremony following on from the two-day AWIEF2020 Virtual Conference. The theme this year is: ‘Reimagining business and rebuilding better’.

The finalists for the 2020 AWIEF Awards are:

Young Entrepreneur Award
Sazia Souza, Managing Partner, Technoplus (Mozambique)
Hannah Lavery, Founder, Hannah Lavery (South Africa)
Olajumoke Odumola, Founder and CEO, KJK Online Communications (Nigeria)
Asomaniwaa Owusu-Ansah, Founder and Chief Pharmacist, Erith Health Services (Ghana)

Tech Entrepreneur Award
Claudette Akinpaye, Founder and Managing Director, Agrizilla (Rwanda)
Marlize Holtzhausen, Founder and CEO, Response24 (South Africa)
Abimbola Adebakin, CEO, Advantage Health (Nigeria)

Social Entrepreneur Award
Rita Stryker, CEO, Willette Safehouse (Liberia)
Adenike Akinsemola, Founder and Director, The Green Institute (Nigeria)
Doris Mollel, Founder and Executive Director, Doris Mollel Foundation (Tanzania)
Mariam Mell & Osiime Mpaata, Founder and CEO, Junior Stars Youth Development Programme (Kenya)

Agri Entrepreneur Award
Victoria Mwafulirwa, Managing Director, Homes Industries (Malawi)
Jacqueline Mukashyaka, Chief Executive Officer, Champion Grocers (Rwanda)
Armelle Sidje Tamo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PRA (Product Related to Agricultural Sector (Cameroun)

Creative Industry Award
Hannellie Coetzee, Visual Artist, Wild Wall Tiles/Hannelie Coetzee (South Africa)
Ayanfe Olarinde, Lulu Arts and UnEarthical (Nigeria)
Alice Muyambo, Visual Artist, Fortitude Arts Gallery (Zambia)

Energy Entrepreneur Award
Enoyonam Mosia, Co-founder, Easy Solar (Sierra Leone)
Amma Serwah Boateng, Co-founder, Destra Energy Group (Ghana)

Empowerment Award
Porcho Marguerite Sogoba, CEO, MUSODEV (Mali)
Nasreen Aleey, Founder and CEO, Afrikapu (Kenya)
Qabale Duba, Founder and CEO, Qabale Duba Foundation (Kenya)

Lifetime Achievement Award
Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO, BCW Africa (South Africa)
Daisy Molefhi, Founder and Executive Director, ABM University College (Botswana)

To register for AWIEF2020 Virtual Conference and AWIEF Awards, click: bit.ly/370MV3F

AWIEF2020 is supported by Nedbank, AGRA, APO Group and WESGRO.

New Founders Forum competition announced

Jan 25, 2019 in Entrepreneur, Founder

Founders Forum, a global community for digital and technology entrepreneurs, is giving start-ups the chance to pitch their business ideas on the future of air travel.  On June 12, with support from British Airways, a panel of leading investors and CEOs will be 30,000 feet in the sky while ideas are pitched from the ground via on-board WiFi.

The competition is looking for start-ups that are building next generation travel tech products or services which have the potential to transform customers’ air travel experiences through innovative technology solutions. The competition is open now and full details to enter are available at https://thefutureofflying.com/?forum=founders .

Entries will be whittled down to a shortlist of businesses that will face a unique challenge of pitching from the ground to judges on board a British Airways aircraft full of leading investors and CEOs. Entrants will take part in a live question and answer session using the airline’s inflight new WiFi all while the aircraft is 30,000 feet over the Atlantic.

British Airways is introducing industry-leading streaming WiFi on its long-haul flights. It currently has more than 50 aircraft with this service, and 80 per cent of the airline’s 134-strong long-haul fleet will be fitted by the end of 2020. The airline’s entire short-haul fleet will be WiFi enabled by summer 2019, all part of British Airways’ £6.5bn investment for customers.

Alex Cruz, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, said: “The competition, which ties in closely with our centenary activity looking to the future of flight, is a unique opportunity for some of the most innovative start-ups to put forward their ideas for travel in the future. We’re excited to be supporting Founders Forum in the pitch process, which is set to be an exciting challenge using our inflight WiFi.”

Greg Kennaugh, Chief Operating Officer of Founders Forum, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this competition, fostering new ways of thinking about travel and directly supporting early-stage entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas to a community of leaders in digital. Connecting seasoned West Coast investors with the most promising European talent midflight on their way to our event is a new milestone for Founders Forum and we are delighted to work with British Airways to deliver this unique initiative.”

The top three finalists selected on board will be invited to attend Founders Forum London on June 13, 2019, to pitch in person to a judging panel of top CEOs.

The lucky winner will receive 100,000 On Business points in British Airways’ business loyalty programme, equivalent to four return flights in World Traveller Plus (long-haul premium economy) to New York (JFK) from London Heathrow. The prize also includes 100,000 Avios, a profile in Business Life magazine, a presentation at the Founders Forum London event attend by hundreds of investors and a business meeting with Brent Hoberman founder of lastminute.com and the Founders network.

Woman in Tech of the Week: Lindiwe Matlali

May 14, 2018 in Brand Manager, CEO, Entrepreneur, Founder, Profiles, Training and development, Woman of the Week

Woman in Tech of the Week: Lindiwe Matlali

Name: Lindiwe Matlali

Designation: Chief Executive Officer

Company: Africa Teen Geeks

What do you do every day? I spend an hour or two every day keeping up with tech news on Techcrunch and MIT Tech Review.  Staying informed is very important.  “I also make a list of the top three things I must get done each day.  I also make a list of the three things that must be achieved each month and each week to ensure that we remain focused and committed to our strategic goals.

How did you get into the tech space? I didn’t study technology at University. I got involved in tech because I saw the need to expose children from disadvantaged communities to tech not only as consumers but as creators too. I believe that the difference between a child born in Sandton and a child born in Diepsloot is lack of opportunity not intelligence. My passion is to close the opportunity gap and hopefully inspire the next Mark Shuttleworth or Elon Musk.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? My grandfather told me to never compare my weakness to other people’s strength. Consistency can achieve more than intelligence. I need both to succeed.

What advice would you given someone wanting to get into the tech sector? My advice for anybody wanting to get into the tech sector is to just do it. There are may free resources now available for one to learn how to code from Edx, cousera and others. All it takes is commitment and determination. In as little as three months you can be a software engineer. 

What motivates you to get out of bed everyday? I am motivated by the impact we have made so far. We have children who before joining ATG had never touched a computer but now are writing a Java code and coding robots. They now have dreams to be the next Mark Shuttleworths. Instead of looking up to celebrities, they now have raised their aspirations and see themselves as the youth who could change the world one day. That for me is what inspires me and help me get up in the morning even when things are tough. Knowing that in my small way, I am making a difference.

Who do you want to be when you grow up? I would like to teach one day. I am furthering my studies torwards my dream of becoming a University lecturer within the next 5 years.

Twitter: @LindiweEM

Blog: https://medium.com/@lindimatlali

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindiwematlali/

 

Do you know an inspirational women in tech? Please get in touch with Robyn (robyn@kato.global) to get her featured!

Do you want to sponsor Women in Tech ZA (our research, website and events around South Africa)? Please get in touch with Robyn (robyn@kato.global).

Do you want to advertise to the  Women in Tech ZA network? Please get in touch with Robyn (robyn@kato.global).

Woman in Tech of the Week: Sam Beckbessinger

May 8, 2018 in Entrepreneur, Profiles, tech, Woman of the Week, Women in Tech

Woman in Tech of the Week: Sam Beckbessinger

Name: Sam Beckbessinger
Designation: Writer, Money Dork, Entrepreneur
Company: Phantom Design

What do you do every day?
I am trying to build a world where money isn’t a complex, opaque thing, but is something that we all understand and can use to fund our most audacious dreams. I wrote a book about this, called Manage Your Money Like a F*cking Grownup, and I run a company that helps to build apps and tools that make finances easier to deal with. We’ve built everything from smart credit cards to apps that show you where your money is going to cryptocurrency exchanges, and more.

How did you get into the tech space?
In my heart, I’m a writer, which means that I am fascinated by human beings and how we’re making the world. I started out writing about tech, and then realized that it would be more fun to also start making some tech products of my own.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The stuff that makes you weird is what gives you the power to change the world. Not everyone’s going to like your weirdness, and that’s fine.

What advice would you given someone wanting to get into the tech sector?
Tech is about building a new vision of what the future can look like. It’s far too important to leave to only one narrow type of person. Don’t assume you need to have studied computers at university or have been a gamer since you were 5 to have a successful tech career; you just need to pick a project you care about and start making something. We need people with a background in the humanities, in social science, in biology, in business, in ethics… in everything. We need you: come and join us!

What motivates you to get out of bed everyday?
My cat sitting on my face and demanding to be fed. But also, my work is really fun, so getting out of bed is easy.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?
No idea. Only boring people make long-term career plans.

Twitter: @beckbessinger
Website: http://likeafuckinggrownup.com/
Blog: https://medium.com/@greenhamsam
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambeckbessinger
FB: https://www.facebook.com/likeagrownup/

Do you know an inspirational women in tech? Please get in touch with Robyn (robyn@kato.global) to get her featured!

Do you want to sponsor Women in Tech ZA (our research, website and events around South Africa)? Please get in touch with Robyn (robyn@kato.global).

Do you want to advertise to the  Women in Tech ZA network? Please get in touch with Robyn (robyn@kato.global).

Deshnie Govender

Apr 7, 2017 in Entrepreneur, Founder, Owner, Profiles, Social media
Deshnie Govender

Name: Deshnie Govender

Designation: Creative Director

Company: iVENT

What do you do every day? No two days are the same in digital but essentially I work with brands, agencies and influencers. From strategy and content creation to post production – engaging and authentic content is my key focus.

How did you get into the tech space? It found me! Starting out as a DJ I needed my music to be heard and social media was the easiest (and free) platform that allowed me to connect with others in seconds. When I realised social media and influencer management could become actual careers, I leveraged off my experience in music to start up my consultancy.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? Do what you love and never work a day in your life. I can honestly say that I love what I do and, notwithstanding stressful days, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

What advice would you give someone wanting to get into the tech sector? Start with your own platforms. What do your social media accounts look like and what is the frequency of your content? Hands-on experience is the best way to start so I would suggest job shadowing or interning at a digital agency. Trust me, this is the environment that will show you how fast paced this industry can be.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day? My company, iVent. I am deeply passionate about what I do and never do anything half-heartedly. My work ethos dictates that my dedication and commitment – not just to my clients, influencers whom I collaborate with and projects that I run – are given 150% of my effort. There is no such thing as sleeping in for me!

What do you want to be when you grow up? I’d like to become a better version of me ☺

Expanding my offices in the UK and America, showing that market what our local influencer offering is like and collaborating on projects. We need to be the first to market, not the last option.

Blog: www.ivent.co.za
Linkedin: https://za.linkedin.com/in/deshnie

Jennifer Bezuidenhout

Aug 24, 2016 in Director, Entrepreneur, Founder, Profiles

Name: Jennifer Bezuidenhout

Jennifer Bezuidenhout

Jennifer Bezuidenhout

Designation: Technical Director / Co-founder

Company: Viga Interactive, Taggo, Boulot

What do you do every day? I hustle. My days vary considerably, some days I’m swamped with admin and strategy meetings, some days I’m in back to back usability tests, other days I just code or create architecture, but every day I manage a team and client’s projects.

How did you get into the tech space? I started my career in the graphic design industry. Even while studying I wasn’t convinced of this weird exotic thing called coding, but one day I was asked to develop a website instead of just designing it, and so I started coding. I started my first registered company at 25, unfortunately it failed just over a year later. The failure of my first business resulted in a knock to my confidence, from which it took a while to recover from. When I started my next company, however, I was a lot more knowledgeable, stronger and wiser.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? Stay humble. As entrepreneurs we have to be confident, sometimes even arrogant, so it is difficult to remain humble all the time. When I succeed in staying humble it keeps me honest, grateful, and makes me a better listener. All of which tends to come in handy in the big bad world of business.

What advice would you given someone wanting to get into the tech sector? Never stop learning. Things move fast in the tech space and you need to stay up to date and relevant, when it comes to new technology and trends.

Another essential piece of advice I would give is to create rock solid specification documents. Because there are always issues around communication, a good spec can avoid misunderstandings.

What motivates you to get out of bed everyday? The possibility of a game changer. Every day I’m excited about the prospects that particular day can bring, you never know what’s around the corner and how it can make your business a success.

Who do you want to be when you grow up? I love being an entrepreneur. Yes, it is extremely difficult and sometimes I think I must be crazy. The reason I keep pushing is that someday when I’m all grown up I can look back and say it was all worth it, I helped build some really cool stuff.

Twitter: @VIGAInteractive
LinkedIn: https://za.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-bezuidenhout-26484235

WOMEN START-UP ENTREPRENEURS: WIN THE ULTIMATE START-UP PRIZE

Apr 7, 2016 in Entrepreneur

WOMEN START-UP ENTREPRENEURS: WIN THE ULTIMATE START-UP PRIZE

South African women tech-innovators should take note of an amazing business development opportunity with the chance to win the ultimate start-up prize for their technology driven businesses –  thanks to the ‘Start-Up Tel Aviv South Africa’ initiative of the Embassy of Israel.

This competition is open to all South African women who are the founders or senior managers of any company in the hi-tech field which is in early stage seed funding. This year the competition has a particular focus on women tech leaders and aims to reward innovation and entrepreneurship in the hi-tech sector.

The prize is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Israel for a full week of meetings, workshops and networking opportunities with some of the world’s leading tech and start-up experts.  The winner will travel to Israel for and intense, all-expense-paid, five-day startup experience in the heart of Tel Aviv in September 2016, during the exciting and innovative DLD Festival.

‘Start-Up Tel Aviv South Africa’ has selected a team of internationally respected judges to select one woman who is actively involved in an innovative company that has developed a unique, sustainable and scalable technology driven business.

Judges on the panel include; Noluthando Gosa, former Investment Analyst and a longstanding member of a number of professional organisations like the Institute of Directors of South Africa; Business Women’s Association of SA (Gauteng) and the Black Business Council, Tanya Kovarsky, the PR and Communications Lead of Core Group and an award-winning parenting blogger with more than 12 years of experience in magazine and newspaper journalism, Hillary Joffe, who is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most talented financial journalists, Toby Shapshack, Described by GQ as “the most high-profile technology journalist in the country” and one of South Africa’s top 30 men in media, and Arthur Goldstuck, award-winning writer, analyst and technology commentator and head of the World Wide Worx Organisation.

The judges will be looking for a truly innovative business spearheaded by a woman, as explained further by one of the judges, the Israeli Ambassador to South Africa Ambassador Arthur Lenk: “Start-Up Tel Aviv South Africa, now in its 3rd year, aims to share the energy of Israel’s start-up culture with women in the tech-sector of South Africa through supporting truly innovative start-ups. We know that in South Africa there are widely creative people who will gain from exposure to the world renowned innovation eco-system in Tel Aviv.

Our Start-Up Tel Aviv South Africa content is of benefit to both South Africa and Israel by highlighting the benefits of outside the box  creative thinking and honouring the best new woman ‘startupist’ in South Africa.”

The prize winner will travel to the DLD Festival in Tel Aviv to participate in lectures, workshops and meetings with leading Israeli investors and professionals. The winning start-up experience takes place during the DLD Festival week (www.dldtelaviv.com), Israel’s largest international hi-tech gathering, featuring hundreds of start ups, VC’s, angel investors and leading multinationals including top technological talent, the highest venture capital investments per capita and multi national centers for industry leaders such as Intel, Google, and Microsoft, Kimberly Clark, Amazon, GM, Amdocs, Facebook and more.

The South African winner will have the opportunity to meet the coolest and smartest companies, techies, investors, designers, artists, scientists, and cultural drivers from Israel and abroad.

For more information and to enter, visit http://startuptelavivsouthafrica.com/

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS Friday the 3rd June 2016