SAIS hosted an incredible line-up of speakers – thought leaders and experts from a wide range of industries. These speakers shared their experiences and knowledge to inspire and capacitate delegates and upcoming entrepreneurs through masterclasses, keynotes, and panel discussions.
A global food industry innovation, health and sustainability expert, helping companies grow in scale and impact. Passionate about unlocking true human potential through empathy, connection and purpose to build a more vibrant world.
“A sense of humour is a sense of proportion.”
Khalil Gibran
He is currently Chief Director: Information Society Modelling and Forecasting at the Department of Communications and Digital Services (DCDT). He has been serving in government for more than 20 years working across sectors such as Defence Force, Parliament, Presidency and ICT industry.
Entrepreneur and engineer, I’ve founded and driven multiple ventures since launching Byte Orbit in 2003. With a passion for innovation and a focus on creating value, I’ve navigated both successes and setbacks in various technology fields. In 2020, I started AutonoSky, which has become a game-changer in the drone technology space. Using cutting-edge technologies like Autonomous Systems and Computer Vision, we’re redefining interactions from above for sectors ranging from rescue services to commercial applications. AutonoSky embodies my ongoing commitment to create valuable impact through technology.
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
Albert Einstein
Anda Ngcaba serves as the Chief Operations Officer(COO) at the University of Cape Town Financial Innovation Hub. Anda believes that blockchain will be a key proponent for unlocking the full potential of Africa’s three-quarters of a billion youth projected for the year 2030. Through his work at the Financial Innovation Hub Anda also serves as COO of Axone, a platform for content creators to collaborate in a unique way.
Anda also serves as a non-executive Director of The Cortex Hub, an incubator/accelerator based in East London and the Eastern Cape Film Hub as a way of developing young entrepreneurs from his home province. Anda holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cape Town and a postgraduate degree from the Gordon Institute of Business Science(GIBS), University of Pretoria.
Anda previously served as an investment and research analyst for SolCon Investments, a technology
The first African woman commercial pilot in South Africa, Co-founder of Mountain Reach Technologies- web-based career selection technology that’s powerfully predictive.
“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for mankind”.
Horace Mann
Creativity and innovation is our untapped and unlimited resource. I am privileged to lead initiatives that assist our nation to use it better as individuals and as collectives to improve our position in the world. As an Executive Chairman leveraging close to three decades of global industry expertise in the science, technology and innovation landscape, my experience has enabled me to successfully provide innovative consulting services to both the public and private sectors. My area of accountability includes directing the development and implementation of ground-breaking projects and programmes as well as constructing strategic policies and frameworks to ensure that tech entrepreneurs move forward. Due to my drive and passion, I embarked on a 10-year journey to establish the SA Innovation Summit which is now recognised as the largest innovation event in South Africa that integrates business, academia, and government. I have successfully concluded over 50 innovation challenges that are technology-based, I enjoy identifying business opportunities, invest in them and grow them.
CEO at the SA Innovation Summit. A Chemical Engineer (UP) turned social entrepreneur. After a stint in management and innovation consulting, he worked with grassroot entrepreneurs setting up their businesses. He later co-founded a SaaS online exchange between Japanese investors and African Entrepreneurs which he left and set up a Data-tech start-up that later closed.
He published the book: How to start a business in 90 days. He is a data science enthusiast and property investor. He also hosts the Ubuntu Dreams Podcast – Your Voice of Africa Rising.
Majaja holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GIBS) and a Master of Management in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation (Wits Business School).
Buntu dreams of touching millions of African entrepreneurs. He believes that education and entrepreneurship are the keys to Africa’s productivity and inventiveness which will unlock its innovation.
Catherine Wijnberg is a powerful advocate for change, for entrepreneurs, for Africa and the planet with a particular passion for effecting impact at the ecosystem level.
Born in Zambia, she has two degrees in Agriculture, an MBA, and more than 30 years of business growth experience having created enterprises in 5 different sectors across 3 countries.
She founded Fetola in 2006, a leading provider of world-class entrepreneurial support programmes for African entrepreneurs, building businesses that last by designing scalable solutions that ensure social, environmental and economic impact.
Through their national business accelerators Fetola builds sustainable, empowered and thriving small and medium enterprises at scale. These entrepreneurs grow the economy, create inclusive wealth and generate jobs creating lasting anchors in the local economy, 87% of whom are still in business ten years later – which is 9 times the national average.
A thought leader on small business development, sustainability and circularity, Catherine was listed amongst the first ever Forbes Africa 50 Over 50 women in business, a spotlight on Africa’s female powerhouses who are inspiring the next generation.
“Together we can build a billion better lives.”
Catherine Wijnberg
Daniel Novitzkas is a key figure in digital innovation and app development in South Africa, leading Specno, a top app development and digital innovation agency, for six years. His work focuses on creating impactful digital solutions that expand business operations nationally and internationally. Recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024, Daniel aims to position African companies at the forefront of the AI revolution, fostering job creation and enhancing leadership skills. His dedication and visionary approach inspire many in the tech industry.
“Every customer has a problem and every problem has a solution, but not every solution has a problem and not every problem has a customer”.
Daya has held senior positions in TIA, Sasol and Eskom. He is currently Head: Energy and Natural Resources in TIA, he is also Chair of UJ FEBE Advisory Board. He holds an MBA Degree and qualifications in Chemical and Electrical fields.
“It is better to give than to receive”.
Duval is the Head of Investments at Holocene, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on climate tech in Africa. Previous to his role at Holocene he worked in venture investing, investment banking, and financial advisory for companies in South Africa, UK, and the Netherlands.
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gavin is an award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of Digify Africa, a company that has trained over 750,000 people in critical digital skills, creating thousands of livelihoods. Working with partners including Meta, UK Aid, and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Digify has won multiple awards for innovation and transformation. In 2019 Digify Africa launched the Digibot, one of the world’s first automated WhatsApp chatbot courses, which has given hundreds of thousands of active users from low income backgrounds access to learning digital skills.
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better”.
Gigi Ngcobo, is the Venture Scale Lead at Injini and one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2023. Passionate about innovation and technology, Gigi has over five years of experience in venture capital in the US and as a venture builder and accelerator in South Africa. At Injini, she helps EdTech startup founders scale their businesses, aiming to expand access to quality education for children across Africa.
Her entrepreneurial journey began at 16 when she founded an NGO focused on teaching ethical leadership in underprivileged communities. While studying at the African Leadership Academy, Gigi founded a company advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Gigi was a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Michigan State University, where she launched the MSU African Business Symposium to explore innovation and venture capital in Africa.
Henra Mayer is CEO of Innocentrix, an innovation company that helps their clients to bring innovation to life. The company specialises in providing innovation services that assist organisations to create engage on and deliver innovation excellence. Innocentrix also founded the African Innovation League Awards in South Africa.
Henra is also the Head of Innovation Faculty at Da Vinci Business School, where she focuses on strategic innovation design work and innovation content and course design. She was also the Editor in Chief for several years at the Future Shaping Media company, based in the UK.
As a South African representative member of the global ISO 56000 Innovation Management standards team, she regularly contributes locally, and leads a team internationally, on shaping the ISO Innovation Management standards and guidelines.
Henra regularly contributes business articles to innovation related publications, newspapers and research journals and worked with many blue-chip organisations like Vodacom, MultiChoice, AVBOB, Altron, Anglo American, and PPC as well as many public sector organisations like the dti, the Innovation Hub, dsi, the City of Joburg, City of Tshwane, the City of Cape Town, and many others.
“It always seems impossible until it is done“.
Nelson Mandela
Janet is the CEO and founder of TAIR Labs;an AI Research and Innovation Lab based in South Africa, and the founder of The AI Review, a media and technology platform.
Janet is the visionary behind the X-VSN Illuminate platform, transforming business CCTV footage into intelligent insights. This is TAIR Labs’ latest product called X-VSN, pronounced ‘X-Vision’. Her vision is to enable businesses across industries to succeed quickly and efficiently with the power of computer vision. With an MBA in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from Shanghai Jiaotong, a master’s from the University of Liverpool, and a bachelor’s from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology Janet’s appetite for driving innovation is unwavering and her vision for the continent clear.
Miss Sawari advocates for STEM education access, pan- African innovation, and leveraging AI to develop a new wave of industrialization on the African Continent. Janet is the CEO and founder of TAIR Labs;an AI Research and Innovation Lab based in South Africa, and the founder of The AI Review, a media and technology platform.
Janet is the visionary behind the X-VSN Illuminate platform, transforming business CCTV footage into intelligent insights. This is TAIR Labs’ latest product called X-VSN, pronounced ‘X-Vision’. Her vision is to enable businesses across industries to succeed quickly and efficiently with the power of computer vision. With an MBA in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from Shanghai Jiaotong, a master’s from the University of Liverpool, and a bachelor’s from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology Janet’s appetite for driving innovation is unwavering and her vision for the continent clear.
Miss Sawari advocates for STEM education access, pan- African innovation, and leveraging AI to develop a new wave of industrialization on the African Continent.
“When present with fear, activate faith”.
Alderman James Vos is the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth in the City of Cape Town. With a portfolio that covers matters of trade, tourism, investment and business support, James heads up a team that is instrumental in driving meaningful economic opportunity in Cape Town. During his time as a Public Representative, when he also served as a Ward Councillor, Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Tourism, James received numerous civic awards, including the International Merit Award. He is also among the youngest to receive the life title of Aldermanship. James believes that the most powerful instrument for improving the quality of life and creating jobs is economic growth. To achieve this, his mission is to drive travel and trade to Cape Town and make the metro the easiest place to do business. James oversees various programmes that support workforce and entrepreneurial development. He loves spending time in the outdoors with his wife and two daughters and has a passion for aviation.
“We’re on a mission to make Cape Town the easiest place in Africa to do business.”
Reformed investment banker with extensive startup experience across USA, Europe & Africa. Responsible for over $250+M USD of funds raised for African climate tech startups. Passionate about creating meaningful, high impact businesses at the intersection of climate positive and scale.
He is dedicated to leaving a healthy earth for his two beautiful children and countless others that realise we need nature and balance to be our best, most whole selves.
“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both. ”
Kieno is Co-Founder of one of Africa’s most influential innovation acceleration hubs, Innovation City Cape Town, which brings together multinational corporates, scale-ups, start-ups, VCs and people with exceptional digital skills. The aim of the ecosystem builder is to accelerate innovation through growing Founder insights and skills and given their business strategic access to market.
Kieno is also founder of Disruption Monitor, a media / storytelling platform, in partnership with Ayoba, which shares stories of innovations that could disrupt. The channel currently has 380k followers across Africa.
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
Albert Einstein
When you aim to provide value for others, success is inevitable.
KK Diaz is a business and brand strategist, coach and 6-times author. He currently serve as CEO of A-Game Business, a growth-hacking and digital marketing agency that provides innovative strategies to help companies improve business performance, revenue and brand equity. He helps companies around the world to implement innovative business strategies, digital marketing tactics, processes and systems for transformative sustainable growth. KK Diaz is the originator of the methodology and author of The A-Game Business Blueprint – a multifaceted approach and collaborative ecosystem designed to help businesses achieve 10XGrowth. As a digital transformation thought-leader, he helps businesses unlock digital transformation, remain relevant and avoid disruption. His unique coaching style, series of training programmes, workshops, online courses, and books help business leaders and entrepreneurs gain a holistic view of strategy, marketing, sales and operations as a set of business processes that can and should be clearly defined, and therefore easily repeatable within the business for long-term growth and success.
Krista’s career has been devoted to socially driven businesses in Africa. She studied at Wake Forest University in the USA and completed an International Honours Programme on global public health in India, South Africa, and Brazil. Settling in Cape Town, she joined a health-tech company serving children in under-resourced government schools.
In 2017, Krista co-founded multiple financial inclusion startups, impacting over 10,000 beneficiaries with financial education. In 2019 this led her to Injini, a pan-African EdTech business incubator, where she became Executive Director in May 2022. She designed all active programs and interventions at Injini, transitioning the business from EdTech incubation to acceleration. She also spearheaded the Injini Think Tank, focusing on localised industry research and advisory services.
Additionally, Krista is a member of the UVU Africa Group executive committee and serves on advisory boards for entrepreneurial support programs like the Global Schools Forum Impact@Scale Labs and Village Capital’s Future for Work Africa program.
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.”
Alphonse Karr
Louise has over 23 years of experience working on global initiatives that have changed how the private sector, investors, and financial institutions think about value creation through improved environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. From 2000 to 2004, Louise edited the CSR Magazine, the first European business magazine on corporate social responsibility. Since 2005 she has worked for IFC, part of the World Bank Group, on projects across Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America to promote sustainable business practices, ESG disclosure, and sustainable finance, in emerging markets. In 2010, Louise founded First Principles Sustainability Services to provide research and advice to South African and global clients on new developments in private sector sustainability, sustainable finance, and impact investing. First Principles went on to incubate the ESG Tracker rating tool to accelerate the adoption of ESG and impact management in private equity. In 2020, Louise joined forces with co-founders to establish Vukani Impact Collective, a South African ESG consultancy working globally to help investors and businesses innovate through better measurement and management of ESG performance and impact. Louise holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Kent in Canterbury.
Matthew is the Head of Client Solutions and Innovation at Human Insights, he is interested in applying Design Thinking to solving human problems and delivering meaningful innovation. He is driven by interesting challenges and seeks to have fun in all he does.
“They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it’s not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.”
Terry Pratchett
Marietjie Engelbrecht brings over two decades of professional experience in Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations to the science of Ecosystem Development. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive for purpose-driven work she embraced the mission of the UVU Africa Group, where she serves as an executive leader responsible for Marketing, Ecosystem and Township Economy for the last 5 years. Striving to create an inclusive, resilient innovation ecosystem across Africa through technology and innovation. UVU Africa design, create, and implement catalytic interventions in the ecosystem that drives innovation, digital inclusion, and economic growth, shaping a more equitable and prosperous African society.
“You always have a choice. You can either roll over and die OR you can keep fighting no matter what.”
Dean Winchester, Supernatural
Marisa is a seasoned innovation ecosystem development practitioner with over a decade of experience. She holds a background in chemical engineering, and her journey has taken her through diverse roles in research and development, industry, government sectors, and has worked with various ecosystem players within innovation. Her unique blend of experience has positioned her as a bridge between research and development entities, higher education institutions, science councils, public entities, and the private sector. Her commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa is at the core of her professional identity.
“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat”.
Steve Jobs
Maxime Calot is a French entrepreneur and growth marketing expert living in Cape Town. He founded Welcome Tomorrow in 2021, a digital marketing agency that is redefining what a trusted growth partner should be.
“Create what you wish existed.”
Mduduzi Dladla is digital savvy Business Accountant in Practice, full of Zest for life and extremely passionate about the transformation, growth and “upgrade” of the Accounting and Finance profession.
Since 2012 Mduduzi Has been actively growing Accounting Instincts Consultancy and participating in strategic advisory Boards and strategic stakeholder forums within the spectrum of Accounting, Tax, and finance where he contributes and gains knowledge.
In his capacity as CEO of AIC, he has been instrumental in leading the company through its digital transformation journey, effectively future-proofing the firm in this digital era and ensuring its ongoing relevance and existence. Central to Mdu’s key interests is Artificial Intelligence and data analytics with a keen interest in nurturing and fostering growth within the SMME ecosystem.
Mike is a young economist and self-proclaimed climate geek with a passion for using technology to solve the most complex problems. Leveraging his knowledge and experience at the forefront of Econometrics and Quantitative Finance, Mike’s journey has taken him from a Master’s in Economics to a Post-Masters program in Financial Econometrics and Behaviour in Copenhagen. He’s also established and leads Merchant and Product Adoption at Toco. In his off time, he is an avid pretend ultra-endurance athlete, having completed several races, including his own 57-hour CAPE253 Ultra-triathlon as well as the UTCT 100Miler
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”.
Jobs
Mthunzi is the CEO of TZoro IBC & TZoro Strategic Advisory, Chairman of Productivity SA, Co-Founder & Chairman of SANA (South African Norwegian Association) & Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Thuja Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a parallel universe ecosystem designed to be an innovative and disruptive employment creation company. In 2022 he had the DG role for NEDLAC Tripartite and SADC Tripartite Candidate for the ILO (International Labour Organisation), till the election on the 25th of March 2022. The ILO is a UN (United Nations) Tripartite Specialised Agency with 187 Member countries.
Ndumiso Hadebe is an award-winning Economist and is the CE at KH Research Equity Partners, a research-driven advisory and private equity firm. He has extensive experience in macroeconomic research and strategy development, corporate governance, trade and promotion, facilitation, and aftercare.
He advises multinational companies listed on the Nasdaq, New York Stock Exchange, Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the public sector in South Africa.
He has been acknowledged by two administrations in the Presidency in the Republic of South Africa and is an author of a book titled “Reflections on SA”, the foreword of the book is written by the Presidency. Ndumiso holds an MBA from GIBS and has also completed the Alternative Investments programme from Harvard Business School.
“The future does not exist, just a future of probabilities.”
Unknown
Dr Nee-Joo Teh is the Head of Global Alliance at Innovate UK KTN and the Project Director of its Global Alliance Africa programme. Working with key UK government departments and international partners, he leads Innovate UK KTN’s global strategy and a diverse team located in the UK, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa delivering cross-sectoral strategic initiatives to:
A former Chartered Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the energy, manufacturing, health, transport, digital and electronic sectors, Nee-Joo has worked with more than 25 countries across the world. His experience and passion in energy transition include offshore renewables, grid networks, energy storage and community energy systems.
“Comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there”.
John Assaraf
Nick Allen BSc (Eng). MBA, Managing Partner of Savant Fund Manager which has overseen the successful deployment of Savant Venture Fund 1 over the past 4.5 years – the first dedicated hardware and deeptech focused fund on the African continent.
Nick has 28 years of work experience, 21 of these years have been in early stage technology business incubation and investment. Nick holds a number of directorships across the Savant group of companies and a number of portfolio companies where he has been able to contribute his experience and strategic guidance over the past 21 years.
Prior to working in investment management and incubation, Nick worked as a civil engineer on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project for LTA, and spent 3 years working in Information Technology in the UK.
“This is something that is important to get done, and we we should just keep doing it or die trying”.
Nicky Verd is a Digital Futurist, Kickass Author, an International Keynote Speaker, Consultant and a voice for those who yearn to disrupt the status quo and reinvent themselves in an AI-powered economy. She is a leading thinker on driving innovation and digital transformation through personal disruption. She is the Author of the hit book “Disrupt Yourself Or Be Disrupted.”
Nicky Verd is passionate about bridging the gap between people and technology. She has been recognized by Thinkers360 as one of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders on Digital Disruption and the Future of Work.
“You are confined only by the walls you build yourself”.
Andrew Murphy
Nicolas has worked in biotech start-ups for over 4 years before joining Echangeur BNP Paribas Personal Finance. He is in charge of decoding the latest technologies and digital trends that will impact the retail industry. He has published many articles and reports about generative AI, Web3 or the GAFAM ecosystem. He’s an international speaker for the retail industry and is also an entrepreneur in the Web3 ecosystem.
“Impossible is the most probable!”
Nithen is an information security expert with over 19 years’ experience in providing specialist defense solutions to clients across the globe, including America, Ireland, England, Germany, UAE, Nigeria, Ghana, Australia, Peru, and Egypt. Through his award-winning cyber defense and intelligence firm, Snode Technologies, Nithen endeavours to protect clients’ interests and empower them to mitigate their weaknesses and maximise on their strengths.
“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”
Miyamoto Musashi
Paseka Lesolang, a visionary entrepreneur, established WHC Solutions to unify profit and purpose. He pioneered the patented WHC Leak-Less Valve™, a water-saving innovation across 40 countries. With 17 years’ experience in business management, stakeholder relations, project management and global project leadership, he is a vocal advocate for youth development and sustainability. Holding qualifications from esteemed institutions, including the University of Pretoria and Terra Firma Academy, Paseka attended a Sustainable Business Leadership course at Rutgers University, USA. As a recognized Mandela Washington Fellow, he earned distinctions like the Overall Winner Award at TT100, among others. Paseka drove youth and innovation initiatives in Southern Africa and co-founded the SADC Youth Water, Energy, Food, and Innovation Network (SAWIN).
“It always seems impossible, until it is done”.
Patrick Krappie is the Acting CEO of the Technology Innovation Agency, having served in various senior management and executive roles in the agency. Mr. Krappie has a strong management background, having held senior positions in government institutions specialising in economic policy and negotiations. He holds an Honours degree in economics and has vast international working experience in England and Switzerland serving as a diplomat for 8 years representing South Africa as a negotiator in the World Trade Organisation, World Intellectual Property Organisation, and the United Nation Conference for Trade and Development. He was involved in the establishment of the TIA, facilitating the merger of seven entities of the Department of Science and Innovation.
Peter Greenwall of INNOVATION101 Ideation Co is a songwriter and author of Logical Stupidity – innovation by navigating through nonsense (Amazon’s Best Seller Rank position #15,812,952 )
His musical scores have featured on World Cup opening ceremonies, Miss World Pageants, ringtones and an Edinburgh Fringe Festival show aptly titled FLOPSTAR, about the 99% of songwriters who don’t make it, which is why he is here, as MC of one of the random side events to the main event
Since he specialised in writing no hit wonders they can now all be heard in his multimedia comedy presentations on how multiple types of failure can be up-cycled as material for innovation, a process not widely known as Errorthoughtical Engineering
Since we do know that inspiration for innovation comes from unlikely places , Peter Greenwall is likely to be the origin of your next big idea!
‘the best way to predict the future is to create it’, which is why ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge’
Dr Phil Mjwara has served as the Director General of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) since April 2006. In this capacity, he is responsible for all policy development in the science and technology sector in South Africa, as well as the portfolio management and governance of South Africa’s systems of government laboratories. His responsibilities further include the management of South African science and technology official development assistance and the driving of the implementation of South Africa’s National Research and Development Strategy and the management of South Africa’s new DST 10 Year Innovation Plan.
Prior to his appointment at DST, Dr Mjwara was the Group Executive: Research and Development; Strategic Human Capital Development at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). At the CSIR, he was responsible for assisting the CSIR strengthening its Science and Technology base including Human Capital Development. In 2001, Dr Mjwara joined the National Laser Centre (NLC) as its head, where he has been instrumental in growing the centre’s activities since its inception and in creating a network of centres in Africa, i.e. African Laser Centre (ALC).
He has also held positions at the then Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology; as Director of Technology; at the University of Pretoria as professor of S&T policy and at the Universities of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and Fort Hare as a physics lecturer. He has been involved in a discipline of Management of Technological Innovation as well as in processes for policy formulation. He has led a team that conducted the South African Technology Foresight project. He has published and presented numerous papers on physics, technology analysis and foresighting related topics.
BSc Eng. Electro-Mechanical, UCT 8 years corporate, 8 years business South Africa’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
“Never memorise something that you can look up.”
Albert Einstein
Coder at heart, innovator at mind, Priaash tells stories driven by data. An electronic engineer by trade, Priaash spent the first ten years of his career in research, development and technology, on projects ranging from military and defence to security in the fight against rhino poaching.
His strong belief that entrepreneurship is the path towards creating value and impact for the world led him to found The Awareness Company in 2018, with the mission to create a sustainable, safe and efficient planet using data, AI and storytelling.
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me”.
Batman
Robin brings 13 years of experience as a research and stakeholder engagement consultant, with a particular focus on the developing world. Robin is skilled in data analysis and interpretation, research design, and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. As an independent consultant, he has mentored companies on integrating research techniques into their work to develop robust and evidence-based strategies. Robin has also worked as a consultant for the international tourism sector focusing on impact-based development methodologies and regenerative systems. Drawing on his experience in software product development, Robin co-designed Vukani’s flagship tool, the ESG Tracker, which empowers clients and partners to manage ESG risk and maximise positive impact across their operations. He was formerly a Senior Research Analyst with Canadian research consultancy, GlobeScan, working across the sustainability, reputation, brand and stakeholder engagement teams. He holds an MA in Global and Comparative Politics, Queen Mary University of London.
Roby has three roles- as partner at Innovation Architects he has consulted hundreds of clients on innovation, strategy and technology. The cumulative market size of his clients exceeds $7 trillion. As a community builder, he has helped build the world’s largest mining technology consortium with over 150 partner companies, and works with national and global institutions. As an investor, he advises funds from seed VC to late stage PE, is an angel investor and serves on boards on four continents.
Roby helped develop Design Thinking while serving on the IDEO exco, and was head of products at Nanosolar, with $0.5bn the best funded startup of its time. Roby has taught at Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, TU Munich and other universities.
“How can I know what I think before I hear what I say”.
Sam Clarke, the founder and CEO of Skynamo, is a born entrepreneur and has been hustling since the age of five when he started selling pinecones in the church parking lot.
On the face of it, his bio will be very familiar. He got a solid degree, gained some work experience, got another even more solid degree and started Skynamo, the business he is currently leading towards global expansion and success.
And while it’s true – it’s not the whole truth, and it doesn’t tell you anything about why Sam started Skynamo, what he cares about and whether he is the kind of person you wouldn’t mind being stuck in an airport lounge with for 12 hours.
Firstly. He is precisely the kind of person you want to be stuck in an airport lounge with. Secondly, he cares about people and lastly, he built Skynamo because it looked like it would be fun, he could do it with people he liked, and it would solve a problem that has been getting in the way of business for decades.
TL;DR – Sam loves to solve difficult problems together with interesting people.
Have no respect whatsoever for authority;forget who said it and instead look what he starts with, where he ends up, and ask yourself, “Is it reasonable?”
Richard P. Feynman
An Account Manager for DTIC and IDC’s Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme which focuses on assisting entrepreneurs with commercialising their locally-developed innovations. She has over a decade of experience in financing start-ups and SME’s.
“Be the difference you want to see”.
Sarah is a prolific investor in Africa’s women. By solely investing in Africa’s female entrepreneurs Sarah hopes to help women rise to be strategic builders of their communities, cities and nations.
“If you can’t see it, you can’t be it”.
Sarbinder Singh is leading Climate Action Investment Fund. He is an experienced professional with expertise in managing investments, innovation and had managed a portfolio of over $1 billion equity investment in hydroelectric, solar and natural gas based combined cycle generating stations. He has delivered many innovative business and financial solutions in energy and utility business in partnership with local community and transition to de-carbonizing generation business. His expertise includes managing innovation at development and growth stages, designing and operationalizing commercial structures, investment valuations, equity investments, project financing and venture governance. He was instrumental in setting a seed equity fund for investment in small and medium sized hydro projects in Nepal and had co-developed one startup business. He has worked with leading organizations in India, the United States and Canada.
His educational qualifications include MBA (Finance) from University of British Columbia (Canada), PGDBM (Finance) from Institute of Management Technology (India) and BE (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from Panjab University (India).
“Investing early in innovation, with active local ecosystem participation, is the catalyst for scaling the green transition, paving the way for a sustainable future”.
Shakira Akbar is the P4G Country Manager in South Africa, where she supports origination and acceleration activities, providing dedicated technical assistance including investor match-making.
Prior to joining P4G, serving as a Director, she successfully launched the inaugural International Humanitarian Summit in March 2022, during the Expo 2020 in Dubai, which is a dialogue promoting global cooperation and unity, convening global non-profits, academia, corporate and government, and partnering on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
She brings two decades of public sector experience at the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, more than half of which she spent representing the Department abroad in key markets.
She previously served as Trade and Investment Commissioner for South Africa, covering the Midwest and West Coast of the USA and was responsible for new market development as well as facilitating foreign direct investment into South Africa, including green technology projects.
During her diplomatic service she also represented the Department as Economic Consul in the United Arab Emirates (covering Oman and Qatar). Upon her return she managed the Asia East and Middle East Export Promotion desks at the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. She has worked in markets such as China, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, all the Gulf states, the Levant, and Turkey, promoting business in the Energy, Healthcare, Defense, IT, Infrastructure, Agroprocessing and Apparel sectors.
She holds a postgraduate Honors degree in International and Development Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Business Management and Information Technology.
“Remember yourself always and everywhere”.
Gurdjieff
Sibusiso has a cumulative work experience of 20 years, the majority of which was acquired in various positions and disciplines in the Information Technology sector. Through his company The Sales Enablement Company he asses, advises, trains and coaches on various sales disciplines from sales strategy to sales execution. His clientele varies from small and medium enterprises right through to Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed companies.
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle”.
Abraham Lincoln
Sipha Ndawonde is a Principal at Secha Capital, an early-stage impact private equity firm in Southern Africa.
Sipha was previously Head of Africa Operations at Kolleno, a UK-based, B2B payments company. Previous to Kolleno, Sipha co-founded CareerPoint, a HR Tech platform based in San Diego. He has several years experience in impact investing, deep experience in scaling businesses and holds an MBA from Oxford University.
“Decide what you stand for. And then stand for it all the time”.
Clay Christensen
I am an innovator, Pathfinder, and founder of 5 entities.
I’m a father, Husband, and a good friend
I spend most of my time-solving complex problems in the continent.
“Africa is blessed with problems and we are the answer to what God knew will be a problem in the mordern day”.
Tamiko Sher is a co-founder and Executive Director of AIfE with more than 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship and consulting. She initiated and project multiple research projects in drone tech, fintech, health tech, and various other research publications and thought leadership discussions. Tamiko has presented at the SA Innovation Summit on various research papers developed by AIfE to assist entrepreneurs in identifying opportunities in new technologies.
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
Antoine de Saint Exupér
Thaheer Mullins is a partner at Savant, an Africa-focused high-technology investment fund manager, accelerator, incubator and corporate investment & innovation programme manager.
His specific focus lies in the fund manager where he facilitates deal sourcing, structuring and portfolio support (business development & investor access). He takes a hands-on approach to supporting early-stage businesses spanning pre-seed to series A. Thaheer has a strong pan-African network and brings a practical perspective on corporate integrations and portfolio management.
“We have got to be constructively impatient”.
Frank Aswani
Mr Toto Matshediso is the Director: Global Projects at the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in South Africa. He is also the South African National Projects Coordinator (NPC) to the Eureka Network. His role is to coordinate the international investment portfolio of strategic relationships with foreign multinational companies that do business in South Africa. He has the responsibility to access science, technology and innovation opportunities for the South African national system of innovation through Eureka Network, international chambers of commerce, mobilise resources through partnerships with venture capital financing and angel investments. Prior to his role, he was the Deputy Director: Strategic Partnerships still within the DSI. His role was to promote and support participation of the South African National System of Innovation stakeholders in the European Union (EU) programmes of strategic importance to South Africa. He has an extensive career working in different institutions in corporate services, banking, UN operations management and donor funding management, international relations, project and programme management. Mr Matshediso has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Management.
“When one’s motivation diminishes, that’s when discipline must kick in“.
Mohlomi has over twenty years of experience in senior management positions. His experiences span from the NGO sector, corporate sector, and the public sector. He is an avid public speaker with over 20 years’ experience. He is currently working as the Senior Director for the Tshwane University of Technology’s Institute for Future of Work. His responsibility is to pioneer the initiative by the university to bridge the gap between the industry and the academia. This is to aid the university in its quest to produce high impact research, develop high tech solutions in partnership with the industry and to produce future ready graduates. He joined the university direct from the public sector where he worked for the Gauteng Department of Economic Development as the Director responsible for Strategic Partnerships, Special Projects, and International Relations. In this role he was responsible to source and forge strategic partnerships between government and corporate sector, lobby for the integration of the SMMEs into the mainstream economy through market access initiatives. He also liaised with the embassies, multilateral, and bilateral development agencies to facilitate collaborations and leverage foreign direct investment.
Tseliso Mohlomi has also worked for an American based Christian publishing company Our Daily Bread/Discovery House Publishing as the Vice President for Africa Operations. In this role he oversaw operations in Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. He led a process of change management through developing business processes, governance structures, human capital development strategies, business development and financial management. With over 20 years in global senior management positions Tseliso Mohlomi is also a freelance Executive Coach/Consultant focusing on intercultural leadership and integration.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Abraham Lincoln
Leading digital inclusivity, passionate about change.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”.
Arthur C Clarke
Will Green has forged a successful career (with lots of scars) as an emerging market tech founder, advisor, investor and business accelerator.
He invests his energy in advising Start-ups, VC’s, Venture Builders and accelerating Scale-up companies as part of Co.lab his global network of successful serial entrepreneurs and brave business leaders.
In the past 3-year Will has worked with over 125 high-growth scale-ups and over 200 founders whom have generated over $110 million of liquidity back into the African tech ecosystem.
If you can’t find him on LinkedIn (@willgreen) you can join WillsGreenWalks every Friday at 6AM to summit Lion’s Head with him and 100 other awesome Founders, Funders and Business Leaders.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Wrenelle has over 28 years of work experience in the aviation and energy industries. She has led multiple large-scale enterprises, including implementing significant capital investment programmes within budget & schedule, navigating the complex matrix of a global listed corporate and managing organisations through periods of intense crisis. She has an acute understanding of the required sensitivity needed to operate effectively in a complex stakeholder environment, including media management and staff.
Wrenelle has extensive experience in both public and private sector. Finding the sweet spot in the nexus between the two is the thread that strings together her various roles.
Prior to joining Wesgro, Wrenelle held three other enterprise leadership roles, including that of Chief Executive Officer of Comair Limited, Managing Director of Sasol Gas Limited and Managing Director of Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company.
She has extensive Board experience both as an Executive Director, as well as a Non-Executive Director. She currently serves as an independent, Non-Executive Director of Sishen Iron Ore. Wrenelle holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom, as well as a BA (Hons) degree from the University of Cape Town
Zach is the Managing Partner at Launch Africa Ventures – Africa’s most prominent and active early-stage VC Fund with a portfolio of 130+ tech ventures across 20+ countries. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Startupbootcamp AfriTech – the leading multi-corporate backed venture accelerator program in Africa.
Zach is a prominent Angel investor in 50+ leading tech startups in Africa including Flutterwave, KudaBank, Mono, Marketforce and several others. He was featured on the cover of Fast Company Africa (May 2018), Destiny Man (Nov 2019) and on several occasions on CNBC Africa. In January 2020, he was recognized as one of the Top 4 Most Influential Persons in Technology in Africa by Les Echos (the French equivalent of the Financial Times).
Zach was formerly the head of Africa Investments for U-Start – the largest network of private Multi-Family offices in Europe. Prior to moving to South Africa, he was an investment banker on Wall Street covering mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance strategy and risk management at Lehman Brothers and Barclays Capital, New York.
Zach has a Master’s degree in Finance & Management from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.
Outside of his professional life, Zach is an acoustic guitarist, pianist and vocalist with cover albums ‘Give A Little’ (2010) and ‘Humans with Hearts’ (2018) on iTunes and Spotify. He is an avid lover of theater and the performing arts, likes hiking and a good game of tennis and squash. He enjoys creative writing and is currently busy finishing a work of non-fiction.
“If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.“
Dr Iyer has a long career in the university environment in a wide range of roles. he completed his PhD in Molecular Biology in 2002, and went on to achieve an LLB degree with electives including intellectual property law, forensic medicine and environmental law, an MBA (dissertation focussing on valuation of intellectual property) and most recently a Master of Laws (LLM in Intellectual Property)
As a researcher he was involved in various fields of biotechnology research culminating in him leading the transgenic maize research program at UCT. Here he was involved in the development of a basket of technologies directed at genetically engineering drought tolerance in plants. Multiple patents applications have arisen out of these developments. One of these the ‘Stress inducible derivative promoter’ has been granted in the USA and China. The technology is being further developed in a five-year project initiated in 2018. The R12.5 million project is funded by TIA. A large South African seed company is involved in the technology development and has committed R150 million to the next phase of development.
He was awarded a Fellowship in the Leaders in Innovation (LiF) programme in the United Kingdom during February 2016. The LiF programme is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering and funded by the UK Government Department of Business, Innovation and Skills’ Newton Fund programme. Dr Iyer was placed first at the pitching event during the 2016 event. Later that same year he was placed as joint runner up in the Newton Fund video competition, which required Fellows to highlight how they have demonstrated leadership in engineering in the developing world.
Revel joined the UCT Technology Transfer Office team in April 2014 as Business Development Manager, and in October 2016 was appointed Director: Technology Transfer and Industry Linkages at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) in South Africa is created by legislation and is dedicated to identifying research which has potential commercial interest and strategies for how to exploit it. He remains in this position whilst also holding the position of CEO: Aonyx Holdings from January 2019.
“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” – Richard Branson
Globally Awarded Circular Economy Entrepreneur – TEDx Speaker – World Economic Forum Global Shaper – South Africa’s most influential Young Person, Top 20 under 30 Entrepreneur & cofounder of Kudoti – A company which was titled South Africa’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company.
“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”
André has 17 years+ of IP experience, has spent time in IP and corporate law firms, and as the lead counsel for IP in the largest multinational pharmaceutical company in the southern hemisphere.
He has advised on the IP aspects of some of the most notable transactions on the African continent in the last few years with a particular focus on fintech, pharma (including bio-pharma), agriculture, telecommunications and retail. In recent years André has been ranked in WTR 1000, IAM 1000 and IP Stars for Commercial IP. His previous commercial IP team has been ranked in the top tier and awarded as the top transactional IP team in Africa by Managing IP. Although formally qualified as a trade mark practitioner, André has significant experience in all IP fields and the unique interplay between the different types of IP rights in transactional matters.
André started consulting with Von Seidels at the start of 2023 and is focusing on commercial and transactional IP mandates.
Christine is a leading brand protection expert and partner at Von Seidels who works with both startups and some of the world’s most dominant players in the digital media, e-commerce and online services sectors.
She has been recognised in the Mail & Guardian’s “Top 200 Young South Africans” and in Managing IP Magazine’s international “Top 250 Women in IP”, having featured annually on its “IP Stars” list since 2014. Christine is a past-president and -director of Brightest Young Minds, a youth-driven incubator for social entrepreneurship. She currently serves on the International Trademark Association’s Internet Committee.
Christine has been described as “approachable and energetic” and cannot resist pausing to smell the new idea.
Award winning content Creator, entrepreneur, tv personality, social media personality and visionary.
Nadia Jaftha is a multi-award winning lifestyle content creator and entrepreneur with over decade of experience in content creation and remaining on trend. She’s gone on to be one of the most influential digital personalities in South Africa. Her quirky personality and relatable style of content has attracted brands like Nickelodeon, Amazon, Wolo Travel, GHD, Lux, Western Cape Government, Youtube, Nivea, Diesel, RedBull and Burger King to name but a few to tap into the creative mind of Nadia Jaftha who is now paving the way in building out the South African creator economy through her new age digital agency Ace Labs.
Reece Meyer, a tech entrepreneur, speaker and Co-founder of Ace Labs who has turned his passion for all things brand and technology into successful businesses.
He has embraced the rise of online services, including social media marketing, brand building, web3 and innovation , to not only establish his business locally in South Africa but also grow it globally with an ever-growing footprint in Dubai. Reece has been instrumental in spearheading the partnership between TikTok global and Ace Labs as the leading TikTok creative partner for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Some of the brands that Reece has worked with include Tiktok global, Key Frame Animation Studio, Clicks Group (The Body Shop and Sorbet), Pick n Pay Asap, Vodapay, Pay Just Now, Pineapple Insurance, Cadbury, Avon, Coke Studios, Showmax and Mr.D to name a few.
Chae Francis is the co-founder of Ace Labs, a new age digital agency that harnesses creators and brands value to help them build sustainable businesses on a global scale. Chae’s has used his background and expertise in big data, commercial business development and e-commerce to help brands drive data driven success across the MENA and METAP regions.
Social innovator and project manager with experience leading teams of more than 100 people and budgets above 100 million per year. With a history of consultancy and program management in governments, the private sector and the third sector, he stands out for his expertise in social technologies and change management to adapt agile methodologies for impact businesses, with experience in organizations such as CIEDS, Yunus, Médicos Sem Fronteiras, Rede Mulher Empreendedora and Fundação Mapfre. Today working as PORTFOLIO MANAGER at NESsT with Amazon businesses (bioeconomy) and businesses that promote racial equity.
I am an entrepreneur and problem solver with a passion for uplifting Africa through technology and creativity. I have worked with notable brands and won awards, but my primary focus is on inspiring and equipping young people to participate in the attention-driven economy through my business, JD Creations. I also founded the CreatreCommunity to connect and cultivate African entrepreneurs, professionals, and creatives, aiming to establish Africa as a global force through collaboration. Join me in the mission to ride the #AfricanWave.
Be the change you want to see in the world
Sarbinder Singh is leading Climate Action Investment Fund. He is an experienced professional with expertise in managing investments, innovation and had managed a portfolio of over $1 billion equity investment in hydroelectric, solar and natural gas based combined cycle generating stations. He has delivered many innovative business and financial solutions in energy and utility business in partnership with local community and transition to de-carbonizing generation business. His expertise includes managing innovation at development and growth stages, designing and operationalizing commercial structures, investment valuations, equity investments, project financing and venture governance. He was instrumental in setting a seed equity fund for investment in small and medium sized hydro projects in Nepal and had co-developed one startup business. He has worked with leading organizations in India, the United States and Canada.
His educational qualifications include MBA (Finance) from University of British Columbia (Canada), PGDBM (Finance) from Institute of Management Technology (India) and BE (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from Panjab University (India).
“Investing early in innovation, with active local ecosystem participation, is the catalyst for scaling the green transition, paving the way for a sustainable future”
With over 15 years of experience in tech entrepreneurship, I’ve empowered startups and established organizations with innovative strategies. At 24, I founded a software agency in Stellenbosch, South Africa, growing it to 50+ employees and then exited. I then lead a top local incubator, mentoring 25+ startups. Now, I am building The Open Letter, a platform that is connecting the fragmented startup space in SA as well as content services business called Stream.
Fabian has had a love of technology from an early age, developing games using BASIC to run on the Commodore 64. This love hasn’t waned and decades later, he still stays relevant with the latest technologies often leading conversations around Disruptive Technologies such as Blockchain, IoT and AI.
Fabian loves “The undiscovered country” and way back in the mid to late nineties, he pioneered two Internet based businesses while still at University. He taught himself web page development before the term was even officially coined. His hunger for knowledge is astounding and most of his knowledge on technology has been self taught.
His current interest is that of Generative AI and the need for Interactive AI. He often speaks at events on Blockchain & the Metaverse and he has aspirations to involve more “young people” to embrace Disruptive Technology.
In addition to his speaking engagements, he serves as coach for developers interested in Blockchain development and looking to expand the audience to AI enthusiasts.
Stay hungry. Stay foolish!
Vuyisa has over 15 years experience in management, technology, marketing, media and entrepreneurship. He holds directorships and advisory roles on various startup boards, and is a founding non-executive director advocacy group at the South African Black Entrepreneurs Forum (SABEF). Past projects include The Bandwidth Barn Khayelitsha, SiMODiSA, Startup South Africa Conference, Executive MBA startup mentorship with Columbia Business School, Global Entrepreneurship Movement (Malaysia), SA Business Angels Network (SABAN) and Seedstars South Africa. He is a past television host/presenter of Business Beat on Cape Town TV (DSTV Channel 263) and has a weekly column in the Business Report, part of the Independent Media Group and the largest English language business publication in South Africa.
Co-founder and COO of Specno – Jacques Jordaan first met his business partner, Daniel Novitzkas, while studying Information Technology at the University of Stellenbosch. Together, the duo launched Specno in 2018 with the aim of helping innovative entrepreneurs build world-class, tech-enabled businesses.
Over the past few years, Jacques has gained a deep technical understanding of building software products, and with these insights, has helped a range entrepreneurs, funded startups, and large enterprises validate, design and build smart digital solutions for the African and Global market.
With a deep-rooted passion to provide founders with the knowledge and support they need to build successful digital products, Jacques is also the technical Co-Founder or Wardworx – a digital platform developed in partnership with Dr Peta-Anne Browne, which seeks to streamline and digitise the doctor-patient management process.
In 2023 Jacques was listed as one of the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 members. This came as recognition for the work he is doing at Specno and helping entrepreneurs build tech products through the African continent.
“Screw it lets do it” – Richard Branson
