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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.

December 5, 2024

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.

Zinhle Mncube

A key takeaway from the summit was the reaffirmation of the importance of strategic partnerships. The NISED Framework mandates biennial summits to track progress and engage stakeholders on collective goals. Attendees were encouraged to consider actionable steps, posing the questions: “What quick wins and impactful interventions should we prioritise, and what actions must each of us take to bring them to fruition?” The summit also marked progress on policies that prioritise inclusivity, such as support for spaza shops and informal traders to upgrade their infrastructure and comply with regulations...

November 28, 2024

South Africa to create 1 million new startups and SMMEs by 2030

A key takeaway from the summit was the reaffirmation of the importance of strategic partnerships. The NISED Framework mandates biennial summits to track progress and engage stakeholders on collective goals. Attendees were encouraged to consider actionable steps, posing the questions: “What quick wins and impactful interventions should we prioritise, and what actions must each of us take to bring them to fruition?”

The summit also marked progress on policies that prioritise inclusivity, such as support for spaza shops and informal traders to upgrade their infrastructure and comply with regulations…

Boitumelo Kodisang

The future of South Africa’s rural economy holds great promise, but realising this potential requires bold, coordinated action. SMMEs have the potential to be powerful drivers of rural transformation, catalysing growth across sectors from agro-processing to sustainable energy and tourism. To achieve this, the current knowledge gap must be bridged through comprehensive research and data collection. This call to action demands collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and private sector partners. Only with a solid foundation of empirical evidence can targeted policies and interventions truly support rural entrepreneurs and unlock the potential of South Africa’s hidden economic gold.

November 25, 2024

Unlocking rural entrepreneurship through data-driven insights

The future of South Africa’s rural economy holds great promise, but realising this potential requires bold, coordinated action. SMMEs have the potential to be powerful drivers of rural transformation, catalysing growth across sectors from agro-processing to sustainable energy and tourism. To achieve this, the current knowledge gap must be bridged through comprehensive research and data collection. This call to action demands collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and private sector partners. Only with a solid foundation of empirical evidence can targeted policies and interventions truly support rural entrepreneurs and unlock the potential of South Africa’s hidden economic gold.

Boitshoko Shoke

The 22 On Sloane Cape Town Hub, located in the heart of Green Point, is designed to support Africa’s growing startup ecosystem. This facility offers co-working spaces, innovation space, Game development studio, ecosystem events and unparalleled networking opportunities to entrepreneurs and innovators. Since the establishment of the Johannesburg Hub in 2017, 22 On Sloane has directly supported over 1,156 entrepreneurs, who have collectively created 2,232 jobs and generated over R500 million in revenue during their time in the programme.

November 24, 2024

22 On Sloane Officially Launches an Entrepreneurship Hub in Cape Town

The 22 On Sloane Cape Town Hub, located in the heart of Green Point, is designed to support Africa’s growing startup ecosystem. This facility offers co-working spaces, innovation space, Game development studio, ecosystem events and unparalleled networking opportunities to entrepreneurs and innovators. Since the establishment of the Johannesburg Hub in 2017, 22 On Sloane has directly supported over 1,156 entrepreneurs, who have collectively created 2,232 jobs and generated over R500 million in revenue during their time in the programme.

Boitumelo Kodisang

...According to the World Bank only 25% of the money generated in townships is spent there. It is suggested that Government ought to develop new or revisit existing policies seeking to address legacy dysfunctions of Apartheid in the townships and their economies. The Government’s Strategic plan and theme for the years 2024-2027 is “Leave no one behind”, if the government seeks to accomplish this, the following should be considered to ensure townships are included in progression and economic sustainability...

November 22, 2024

The South African System: a hindrance or an enabler to Township Economies?

…According to the World Bank only 25% of the money generated in townships is spent there. It is suggested that Government ought to develop new or revisit existing policies seeking to address legacy dysfunctions of Apartheid in the townships and their economies.

The Government’s Strategic plan and theme for the years 2024-2027 is “Leave no one behind”, if the government seeks to accomplish this, the following should be considered to ensure townships are included in progression and economic sustainability…

Londiwe Khuzwayo

Ubuntu, which emphasises compassion, collective responsibility, and ethical behaviour, was a central theme throughout the workshop. Venile spoke about how Ubuntu counters the greed and profit-driven mindset that can undermine ethical leadership. She highlighted the importance of businesses acting as community centres, where decisions are made not for individual gain but for the greater good. This shift from a “me-centred” to a “we-centred” approach fosters collaboration and shared value, promoting a society where business leaders aim to serve others.

November 14, 2024

Exploring Leadership Through an African Lens: Insights from 22 On Sloane’s “Leadership with an African Perspective” Workshop

Ubuntu, which emphasises compassion, collective responsibility, and ethical behaviour, was a central theme throughout the workshop. Venile spoke about how Ubuntu counters the greed and profit-driven mindset that can undermine ethical leadership. She highlighted the importance of businesses acting as community centres, where decisions are made not for individual gain but for the greater good. This shift from a “me-centred” to a “we-centred” approach fosters collaboration and shared value, promoting a society where business leaders aim to serve others.

Tsakani Nkombyane

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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.

December 5, 2024

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.

Zinhle Mncube

A key takeaway from the summit was the reaffirmation of the importance of strategic partnerships. The NISED Framework mandates biennial summits to track progress and engage stakeholders on collective goals. Attendees were encouraged to consider actionable steps, posing the questions: “What quick wins and impactful interventions should we prioritise, and what actions must each of us take to bring them to fruition?” The summit also marked progress on policies that prioritise inclusivity, such as support for spaza shops and informal traders to upgrade their infrastructure and comply with regulations...

November 28, 2024

South Africa to create 1 million new startups and SMMEs by 2030

A key takeaway from the summit was the reaffirmation of the importance of strategic partnerships. The NISED Framework mandates biennial summits to track progress and engage stakeholders on collective goals. Attendees were encouraged to consider actionable steps, posing the questions: “What quick wins and impactful interventions should we prioritise, and what actions must each of us take to bring them to fruition?”

The summit also marked progress on policies that prioritise inclusivity, such as support for spaza shops and informal traders to upgrade their infrastructure and comply with regulations…

Boitumelo Kodisang

The future of South Africa’s rural economy holds great promise, but realising this potential requires bold, coordinated action. SMMEs have the potential to be powerful drivers of rural transformation, catalysing growth across sectors from agro-processing to sustainable energy and tourism. To achieve this, the current knowledge gap must be bridged through comprehensive research and data collection. This call to action demands collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and private sector partners. Only with a solid foundation of empirical evidence can targeted policies and interventions truly support rural entrepreneurs and unlock the potential of South Africa’s hidden economic gold.

November 25, 2024

Unlocking rural entrepreneurship through data-driven insights

The future of South Africa’s rural economy holds great promise, but realising this potential requires bold, coordinated action. SMMEs have the potential to be powerful drivers of rural transformation, catalysing growth across sectors from agro-processing to sustainable energy and tourism. To achieve this, the current knowledge gap must be bridged through comprehensive research and data collection. This call to action demands collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and private sector partners. Only with a solid foundation of empirical evidence can targeted policies and interventions truly support rural entrepreneurs and unlock the potential of South Africa’s hidden economic gold.

Boitshoko Shoke

The 22 On Sloane Cape Town Hub, located in the heart of Green Point, is designed to support Africa’s growing startup ecosystem. This facility offers co-working spaces, innovation space, Game development studio, ecosystem events and unparalleled networking opportunities to entrepreneurs and innovators. Since the establishment of the Johannesburg Hub in 2017, 22 On Sloane has directly supported over 1,156 entrepreneurs, who have collectively created 2,232 jobs and generated over R500 million in revenue during their time in the programme.

November 24, 2024

22 On Sloane Officially Launches an Entrepreneurship Hub in Cape Town

The 22 On Sloane Cape Town Hub, located in the heart of Green Point, is designed to support Africa’s growing startup ecosystem. This facility offers co-working spaces, innovation space, Game development studio, ecosystem events and unparalleled networking opportunities to entrepreneurs and innovators. Since the establishment of the Johannesburg Hub in 2017, 22 On Sloane has directly supported over 1,156 entrepreneurs, who have collectively created 2,232 jobs and generated over R500 million in revenue during their time in the programme.

Boitumelo Kodisang

...According to the World Bank only 25% of the money generated in townships is spent there. It is suggested that Government ought to develop new or revisit existing policies seeking to address legacy dysfunctions of Apartheid in the townships and their economies. The Government’s Strategic plan and theme for the years 2024-2027 is “Leave no one behind”, if the government seeks to accomplish this, the following should be considered to ensure townships are included in progression and economic sustainability...

November 22, 2024

The South African System: a hindrance or an enabler to Township Economies?

…According to the World Bank only 25% of the money generated in townships is spent there. It is suggested that Government ought to develop new or revisit existing policies seeking to address legacy dysfunctions of Apartheid in the townships and their economies.

The Government’s Strategic plan and theme for the years 2024-2027 is “Leave no one behind”, if the government seeks to accomplish this, the following should be considered to ensure townships are included in progression and economic sustainability…

Londiwe Khuzwayo

Ubuntu, which emphasises compassion, collective responsibility, and ethical behaviour, was a central theme throughout the workshop. Venile spoke about how Ubuntu counters the greed and profit-driven mindset that can undermine ethical leadership. She highlighted the importance of businesses acting as community centres, where decisions are made not for individual gain but for the greater good. This shift from a “me-centred” to a “we-centred” approach fosters collaboration and shared value, promoting a society where business leaders aim to serve others.

November 14, 2024

Exploring Leadership Through an African Lens: Insights from 22 On Sloane’s “Leadership with an African Perspective” Workshop

Ubuntu, which emphasises compassion, collective responsibility, and ethical behaviour, was a central theme throughout the workshop. Venile spoke about how Ubuntu counters the greed and profit-driven mindset that can undermine ethical leadership. She highlighted the importance of businesses acting as community centres, where decisions are made not for individual gain but for the greater good. This shift from a “me-centred” to a “we-centred” approach fosters collaboration and shared value, promoting a society where business leaders aim to serve others.

Tsakani Nkombyane

This report captures the key achievements of 22 On Sloane from 2021 to 2023, showcasing our dedicated efforts to foster a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem. Over these years, 22 On Sloane solidified its position as Africa’s largest entrepreneurship campus, remaining steadfast in its mission to guide start-ups and SMMEs from ideation through to scaling.

November 14, 2024

22 On Sloane Impact Report 2021-2023

This report captures the key achievements of 22 On Sloane from 2021 to 2023, showcasing our dedicated efforts to foster a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem. Over these years, 22 On Sloane solidified its position as Africa’s largest entrepreneurship campus, remaining steadfast in its mission to guide start-ups and SMMEs from ideation through to scaling.

Boitshoko Shoke

I had the opportunity to present on Startups, Small Businesses and Job Creation in Africa. I highlighted the need for us to create and grow a pipeline of investable startups in Africa. The scarcity of investable deals, combined with increases in VC allocation, has led to inflated valuations, which has led to portfolio underperformance for investors as startups in Africa fail to live up to their valuations. The result and danger of this could be capital flight or the hoarding of dry powder as the investment community terms it.

November 1, 2024

The Inclusive Growth Forum proposes a Social Compact for South Africa

I had the opportunity to present on Startups, Small Businesses and Job Creation in Africa. I highlighted the need for us to create and grow a pipeline of investable startups in Africa. The scarcity of investable deals, combined with increases in VC allocation, has led to inflated valuations, which has led to portfolio underperformance for investors as startups in Africa fail to live up to their valuations. The result and danger of this could be capital flight or the hoarding of dry powder as the investment community terms it.

Kizito Okechukwu

22 On Sloane, Africa’s largest startup campus and the headquarters of GEN Africa, is thrilled to announce the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2024. This global celebration, running from 18-24 November, will feature 40,000 events across 200 countries, with 20,000 partners and 10 million participants. GEW 2024 aims to drive entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusivity, inspiring both budding and established entrepreneurs worldwide.

October 31, 2024

GEN President, Mr. Jonathan Ortmans Will Launch Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2024 and Officially Open the 22 On Sloane Cape Town Hub

22 On Sloane, Africa’s largest startup campus and the headquarters of GEN Africa, is thrilled to announce the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2024. This global celebration, running from 18-24 November, will feature 40,000 events across 200 countries, with 20,000 partners and 10 million participants. GEW 2024 aims to drive entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusivity, inspiring both budding and established entrepreneurs worldwide.

Boitumelo Kodisang

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.

October 24, 2024

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.

Zinhle Mncube

Having recently attended a launch of a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower small and medium enterprises in various townships across Gauteng, this event was a reminder of the South African notion of ‘Ubuntu” where we all are able to come together to make a difference in a joint course and just how important the key stakeholders in the ecosystem are in terms of nurturing an idea into reality. This initiative seeks to advance the cause of developing entrepreneurs and SMMEs in the townships through the transformative journey in this 4IR of thriving in the digital marketplace to promote both the sustainability and growth of the economy.

October 3, 2024

Empowering Township Entrepreneurs in the 4IR: A Digital Marketplace Revolution

Having recently attended a launch of a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower small and medium enterprises in various townships across Gauteng, this event was a reminder of the South African notion of ‘Ubuntu” where we all are able to come together to make a difference in a joint course and just how important the key stakeholders in the ecosystem are in terms of nurturing an idea into reality. This initiative seeks to advance the cause of developing entrepreneurs and SMMEs in the townships through the transformative journey in this 4IR of thriving in the digital marketplace to promote both the sustainability and growth of the economy.

Nthame Mametja

The Deputy President (DP) of South Africa, His Excellency Paul Mashatile, is in London this week with high level government officials, which included eight South African Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Senior Executives of big corporates and 40 SMMEs and startups. Under the leadership of Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams from the Department of Small Business Development supported by Edna Montse from African Bank and Steven Zwane from Absa, 22 On Sloane entrepreneurship campus partnered with the Department of Small Business Development, Small Enterprise Development Agency, African Bank, Absa, Telkom and W&R Seta to give the 40 businesses an opportunity to be part of the investor roadshow in London.

October 3, 2024

Deputy President Paul Mashatile Rallies UK Investors in London

The Deputy President (DP) of South Africa, His Excellency Paul Mashatile, is in London this week with high level government officials, which included eight South African Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Senior Executives of big corporates and 40 SMMEs and startups. Under the leadership of Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams from the Department of Small Business Development supported by Edna Montse from African Bank and Steven Zwane from Absa, 22 On Sloane entrepreneurship campus partnered with the Department of Small Business Development, Small Enterprise Development Agency, African Bank, Absa, Telkom and W&R Seta to give the 40 businesses an opportunity to be part of the investor roadshow in London.

Kizito Okechukwu