The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) believes in the potential of African entrepreneurs, and their ability to contribute to the digital economy, set to reach $100 trillion by 2025 (World Economic Forum). It is also passionate about the power of collaboration – and seeks to harness knowledge and skills in order to create a dynamic environment that stimulates the creation of tech and tech-enabled businesses.
CiTi (the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative) was established in 1999. Best-known for managing the Bandwidth Barn, a space for start-ups to grow and connect in Cape Town, CiTi also successfully runs several programmes in the skills and enterprise development space. CiTi supports IT-enabled innovation across sectors, including FinTech (and blockchain), EdTech and TravelTech.
The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative excels through:
- Great industry reputation for delivery, thought leadership and innovation
- Physical presence in the vibrant communities of Woodstock and Khayelitsha
- Complete end-to-end business support from idea stage to R30m-a-year companies
- Scarce skills development and high-value job placement
- Strong M&E and administration
- B-BBEE Level 1 supplier that can address 3/5 elements of the B-BBEE Scorecard
- Strong corporate, public, academic and SMME partnerships
- Proven clustering and ecosystem development infintech,edtech and gaming
PROGRAMS:
CapaCiTi Tech Talent programme
VeloCiTi Entrepreneurial Dev Programme
TenaCiTi People + Potential Programme
SPACES:
Woodstock Bandwidth Barn
Khayelitsha Bandwidth Barn
CLUSTERS OF INNOVATION:
Fintech Open Innovation Cluster
Using the internet to transform the financial industry and disrupt its biggest players is no longer a trend; it’s a digital revolution. And, with its Fintech Open Innovation Cluster, CiTi gives entrepreneurs access to the facilities, expert advice and introductions to funding that they need to become a part of this revolution. In 2015, Barclays became CiTi’s first Fintech cluster member, and launched the pioneering start-up community Africa Rise. Since then Thomson Reuters LabsTM – Cape Town and the Blockchain Academy have joined the Cluster and taken up space at the Bandwidth Barn Woodstock.
EdTech Open Innovation Cluster
Technology has the power to transform education. And, with the launch of Africa’s first EdTech Open Innovation Cluster, which has physical space inside the Bandwidth Barn Woodstock, CiTi is positioned to support and encourage start-ups that are looking to impact and change the education system in South Africa and indeed the entire continent. Companies like HyperionDev, a mentor-led online learning platform for tech skills, and Edro Robotics, which offers computer programming for young kids, have set up at the Bandwidth Barn Woodstock and are members of EdTech Open Innovation Cluster.
Open Innovation Cluster
Traveltech Open Innovation Cluster
Overview
Website | Visit website |
Location | 66 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa |
Targets | South Africa |
Sectors | EdTech, Education, Fintech, HealthTech, ICT, Tourism |