Potential tech-preneurs who come up with technology solutions to everyday Jozi problems stand the chance of turning their digital ideas into viable business opportunities.

All they have to do is enter the #Hack.Jozi Challenge before entries close on Friday, 25 March 2016. The #Hack.Jozi Challenge is a boot camp for startup entrepreneurs and aims to contribute towards fostering skills, innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital technology space. Ravi Naidoo, Executive Director for Economic Development for the City of Johannesburg, says that there are some excellent entries which have been received so far, but he would like to see many more. “We are calling on people who live, work and play in the City of Joburg and who have an idea about how technology can be used to make a difference in our city to enter.

“It is the technologically-savvy young citizens of this wonderful and complex city that we live in that are likely to be closest to the real kinds of issues and challenges that people face. They may well have a winning idea that the #Hack.Jozi Challenge will help them take forward into a money-making enterprise. No idea is too big or too small."

To enter, visit www.hackjozichallenge.co.za and complete the entry form. Entries should address challenges in the following categories: public spaces/tourism; smart infrastructure, economic development and general.
Three entrants will walk away with a total of R1.7 million: R1 million for the overall winner of the 2016 #Hack.Jozi Challenge and R350,000 each for the two runners-up. They will be each be supported by a business mentor around how best to use the prize money and accelerate their idea into a successful enterprise.

The top 20 selected entrants will receive additional business mentorship. The top 10 will win a one-year free membership of the well-known ICT Hub in Braamfontein, which is a Wits University initiative under the leadership of Professor Barry Dwolatzky.

The top one hundred entrants as start-up entrepreneurs will attend a special entrepreneurship and business training boot camp geared to helping them develop their great digital ideas into possible business opportunities. 

#Hack.Jozi Challenge is a project of the City of Johannesburg and the JCSE (Joburg Centre for Software Engineering) at Wits University. Its success in its launch year in 2015 saw the City of Johannesburg commit R5 million for the second #Hack.Jozi Challenge this year.

“This competition is designed to accelerate early stage ICT startups. It supports capacity development, job creation and enterprise development in our City,” says Naidoo.

"But let us remember that it is about real people and real challenges - as well as about boosting entrepreneurship in the broad area of digital technology and promoting much-needed local economic development," says Naidoo.

Applicants can be individuals or teams, one of whom must live in the Johannesburg area. Government employees are not eligible.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, 25 March 2016. A committee will select the winners. The winners will be selected after two elimination rounds.  The city will not take any equity in any of the businesses. ENDS

Watch a video clip about the Hack.Jozi Challenge www.youtube.com

Photos are available here:
• Mayor of the City of Joburg Parks Tau, Ravi Naidoo Exec Director for Economic Development City of Joburg, Prof Barry Dwolatzky director JCSE and winner of the #Hack.Jozi  Challenge 2015 Desmond Mongwe, MoWallet
• Prof Barry Dwolatzky director JCSE
• Ravi Naidoo, Exec Director for Economic Development City of Joburg
• Winner of the #Hack.Jozi  Challenge 2015: Desmond Mongwe, MoWallet

For more information, please contact Alex van Essche, Turquoise PR & Marketing Communications
Cel: 082 321 1167 Email: alexandra@turquoisepr.co.za

About #Hack.Jozi Challenge
The #Hack.Jozi Challenge is a boot camp for start-up entrepreneurs which aims to foster skills, innovation and entrepreneurship in the broad area of digital technology. The programme is in support of capacity development, job creation and enterprise development. It is an initiative of the City of Johannesburg and the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) at Wits University.

Visit: www.hackjozichallenge.co.za