The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) uses the GEW as its flagship annual programme that encourages ecosystem stakeholders to launch new programmes, fund startups, explore progressive policies for their countries, address challenges faced by startups, hack on solutions for various obstacles and work together towards building a stronger and more sustainable ecosystem.

This year, 22 On Sloane will be hosting a 48-hour GEW Hackathon in partnership with Telkom FutureMakers from the 12th – 14th of November 2021. The Hackathon will serve as a platform to explore opportunities, provide solutions and help solve pressing problems faced by large corporate and startups in this digital world focusing on Edtech, Fintech, Over the Top Media, Internet Software Solutions, Gaming and Smart Homes.

The Hackathon is designed in the form of a challenge which will see over 100 software developers, computer engineers and business strategists in groups of 20 teams ranging from 2-5 members, compete to provide solutions to pre-identified problems. There will be six different business challenges focusing on the above-mentioned sectors that each team will be competing in. The total prize money for the Hackathon is set R1.2m. For each business challenge, one winner will emerge victorious and will receive a cash prize of R200 000.

22 On Sloane and Telkom FutureMakers are passionate on promoting technology innovation through financial support and appropriate business development support. The mentors that will be supporting the various teams are committed to helping them develop a compelling value proposition that will be potentially commercialised.

The Global Entrepreneurship Week will be held from the 8th – 14th of November 2021.