Grant Funding’s Ability to Plug the Pre-Seed Funding Gap

From the 4th to 9th November 2024, the 22 On Sloane Cape Town Hub came alive with energy, innovation, and collaboration as we hosted our first major ecosystem activity, The Google Startup Bootcamp. This milestone not only marked the debut of our facility in the heart of Green Point but also underscored our commitment to nurturing Africa’s dynamic startup ecosystem. The Google Startup Bootcamp is part of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund initiative, which has pledged over $30 million in equity-free funding to empower Black-led startups across the globe. For one week, participants engaged in transformative workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and invaluable networking opportunities. It wasn’t just about learning, it was about building relationships, refining ideas, and laying a stronger foundation for their ventures.

24 Oct

Pulling Ourselves Towards Ourselves: Reflecting on Our Failures and Limitations

We all have moments that remind us that when we think we are taking flight, we are, in fact, making huge leaps whose inevitable conclusion is landing firmly on the ground, our backsides providing the cushion. My Icarus moment came recently when I found myself in hospital for three days. There’s something about being treated that evokes feelings of helplessness, humility, and loneliness once the nurses, doctors, and loved ones have left. The air feels that much tenser. The bed seems much bigger and far more distant compared to your neighbouring patient’s. And my thoughts (oh, those thoughts) rang louder than a phone you swore you had put on silent in a meeting.

26 Aug

Promotion Over Platforming: Women in a Content-Hungry Reality

We can all agree, that there is no cogent argument one can reasonably make to justify the exclusion of half of our workforce from meaningfully contributing to the economy when there’s a commercial demand for this talent. The participation of women and them comprehensively receiving support is necessary. All organisations doing this work must be commended and their work amplified. We however must fight against the temptation of haphazardly putting together interventions that achieve the bare minimum but demand maximum exposure. It’s a disservice to the participants and to us as implementing agents or sponsors. This is not a big game hunting sport.

24 Jul

Entrepreneurs as Nation Builders

South Africa’s categorisation in its emerging status is true both in its spritely age (30 years is a toddler in nation years) and in its promise of economic growth. There are certain quarters that would insist our entrance into the BRICS countries is that of a small letter ‘s’, but we are nevertheless part of the collective as arguably the biggest economy in the continent. Historically, entrepreneurs have been one of the key thrusts in advancing economic and societal welfare in countries. There are obvious means in which entrepreneurship does this.

23 Aug

The Need For A Mission-Driven Country

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of programme directing the Digital Economy Multilateral Interchange, which was hosted by the South African BRICS Business Council’s Working Group on the Digital Economy. The session, which was open to members of the public, was filled with progressive and thought-provoking dialogue from various members of respective Digital Working Groups from the BRICS member countries.

7 Sep

On The Vows We Make To Startups, Best Not Forget Patience And Humility

As a recently wedded man, it’s safe to say I’m in a honeymoon phase of my marriage. Sunshine glows out of my beautiful bride's face, Labrador puppies run out with joy alongside her every time she enters the room and her heavy breathing when she sleeps is like calming rain (sorry honey!). However, the process that led us to our engagement and eventual marriage was fraught with many a prickly situation that, at worst, culminated in the question, “is this it? This surely cannot be it.”

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About Us

22 On Sloane is the largest startup campus in Africa. The campus offers disruptive startups and innovative SMEs a complete turnkey solution to scale, from the initial idea all the way to commercialisation, funding opportunities and access to markets. Its aim is to nurture the entrepreneurial mindset, ensure their sustainability, and explore development of new industries and contribute towards job creation in Africa.