South Africa’s e-Mbizo Solutions is making great money providing internet access to places that are unreachable through free Wi-Fi.

The firm provides a band width of 250MB a day for just R10 per day unlimited access.

Founded by Thabo Malebadi, his father Joseph Malebadi and Chris Reynolds, the firm’s major aim is to provide affordable Internet services for all over its wireless network build across different townships and rural areas in South Africa.

The network already covers parts of Tembisa, KwaMhlanga, Vezubuhle, Verena, Seabe, Soshanguve, Marapyane, Vaalbank, Siyabuswa,  Kwaggafontein and Moutse. The areas span three provinces — Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. They do their own installations

The Wi-Fi network serves about 3 000 users on a daily basis, with a high of 20 000 people using it last month.

His choice of area his has covered is greatly influenced by the high cost of the low quality of service the mobile networks  provide.

“People have expressed dissatisfaction about the manner the networks have exploited these communities, which are predominantly prepaid, therefore presenting a low-risk market opportunity,” says Malebadi.

Users of e-Mbizo’s Wi-Fi network can connect to the free but limited Internet service, which is capped at 250MB/day. They also have the option of a paid service, where R10 vouchers can be purchased granting users access to uncapped Internet for a day.

e-Mbizo provides free Wi-Fi to more than 30 schools in Tembisa, and plans to hook up at least 220 more schools with access to the Internet in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, offering them e-learning materials.

Malebadi says e-Mbizo also works with entrepreneurs on the ground to provide skills development, sales and technical support for customers.

“e-Mbizo has established a partnership with the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality’s economic development department that aims to uplift the community and establish sustainable business models from which entrepreneurs can benefit.” 

Smaller, faster and more cloud based gadgets have been the trend in technology in 2013. Driven by these trends, the money spent on technologies does not seem to decline: According to a Forrester Research global spending on technologies will rise by 6.2% to USD 2.22 Trillion. But in which technologies will this huge amount of money flow? The price comparison website PricePanda compiled a list of the big trends of technological gadgets in 2014:

1. Wearable technologies
   Smart watches like the Sony SmartWatch , life-logging cameras on our collars or fitness bands around the arm – this year electronic devices will be closer to us than ever before. So far over 300.000 smart watches have been sold. The latest models of smartwatches can even access the app store. Apps for smartwatches seem to become very successful as more than 3 million of them have been downloaded already.
2. Phablets – the combination of phone and tablet
   Phablets which are a combination of a smartphone and a tablet will be very popular this year. Different from the trend to smaller storage devices like micro SDs, smartphones develop in the opposite direction and become phablets. Soon we will not have a smartphone, tablet and computer but only one device – a phablet. Already 25% of the top 20 search request PricePanda receives are phablets. ABI Research predicts sales of 200 million in 2015.
3. 4K
   New definition 4K replaces HD. Whether it is a TV or a tablet that you use – with 4K the visual experience is four times better than with common UHD. Recently companies like Samsung offer gadgets with 4K display for affordable money. 12.7 Million 4K TVs are predicted to be sold this year. Chances are high that sales will even do better than that.
4. Mobile gaming
   In 2014 top tablets include at least a Full-HD-Display and a quad-core-processor. The LG Optimus – a tablet – transforms a TV via HDMI-cable into a smart TV. Connection with a gamepad via Bluetooth will make it a gaming console. That enables people to game wherever they are.

PricePanda is a price comparison website for emerging markets and provides users with a transparent overview of prices for the latest gadgets and other products plus professional reviews .

The site is available in Argentina, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico , Singapore and the Philippines.

Any country would wish to have an App that would help in providing health replacements like the circulatory system. South Africa is fortunate enough to have this.

The SA Cardiosynthesis is a Joburg-based startup ready to ensure that it provides heart-valve replacement to emerging markets that do not require long term administration of medication.

Murray Legg, a co-founder of Cardiosynthesis, said that there’re about 500,000 heart valve replacement that are carried out but only done in developed markets with advanced health care and surgeons; which is very disadvantageous to markets that do not have such technologies.

Murray is a 29 year old Biomediacal engineering PhD graduate, founded SA Cardiosynthetics in 2012.He has experience in developing and commercializing products in the biomedical market, but worked previously as an investment banker at Rand Merchant Bank.

His partner, David J Wheatley, at 72 has the upper hand on the practical surgery experience as well as the design in the heart-valve design replacement. He was professor of cardiac surgery at the University of Glasgow and had a 27-year tenure at the British Heart Foundation.

Legg and Wheatley have secured international patents for the intellectual property they’ve developed for the valve and its novel operation and the opportunity to diversify the product into a transcathether valve that will allow for minimally invasive surgery.

They have been granted the patent in the US, Europe, India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Japan and Canada.

The partners have self-funded the project for the past six years, during which time they considered various geometries and prototype designs.

 “After converging on a design that we felt confident would work, we patented the landscape around the design,” said Legg.

The pair raised funding for the first phase of the project from government’s Technology Innovation Agency.

Legg says emerging markets need a product like this because rheumatic fever, when left untreated, can lead to valve disease.

Once SA Cadiosynthetics proves that its valve operates the same or better than a US Food and Drug Administration-approved commercial valve supplied by large valve manufacturers such as St. Jude Medical or Medtronic, it will make money, Legg says.

Their main competitor include Medtronic Sorin Group, Edwards Lifesciences and St. Jude Medical.

SA Cardiosynthetics has completed the theoretical engineering and technical validation of the valve and is now focusing on the way it operates in a patient’s heart.

“We will run animal trials and fatigue tests to ensure that devices operate in a biological setting, and the way they handle the pressures of stresses found in the body are next on our list.”

Legg also hopes that because Wheatley is a global authority on heart-valve therapy, the company will be able to cover a wide range of international markets.

MEDO, the South African development group last year offered entrepreneurs training as well as international exposure to business and investment partners. Last week, 12 businesses returned to South Africa from the International Trade Programme in the UK.

After hundreds of entrepreneurs across South Africa applied for this opportunity, 14 were eventually chosen. The aim of the trip was to stimulate trade between these successful entrepreneurs and UK partners to further job creation in South Africa.

This is the organisation’s third such endeavour and Bjarke Gotfredsen, Joint CEO & Co-founder of MEDO says, “Our first tour had a success rate of 20%, our second 50% and this one I would say anywhere between 70 to 80%.”

A tour such as this one, Gotfredsen says, opens their minds to the opportunities and possibilities out there. “The focus on this tour was the ICT sector and we want to grow that sector by investing in it through initiatives such as the MEDO ITP and in doing so bring these entrepreneurial businesses into our supply chain.”

One participant, Henk Koekemoer, owns CashCow which is an accountancy board game and kit. He managed to receive an endorsement from the International Association of Bookkeepers. Furthermore, the Serious Gaming Institute will be developing CashCow into a digital format meaning that it will become available for mobile devices in the future.

Other entrepreneurs who successfully secured deals abroad include Itumeleng Legodi of Systemwox ICT in Centurion. Using services such as bulk SMSes and crowdsourcing, his business provides ICT business solutions to companies so they can operate more efficiently.

Josias Motsoeneng and Hendrik van Rooyen of AC Electromech in Middleburg, are very pleased with the tour. Motsoeneng explains why such tours are great for international exposure:

“A tour such as this also allows us to see what other entrepreneurs in other countries are doing, and how their governments and institutes are assisting them. MEDO and BT have given us the opportunity to engage in conversation at the top, instead of us fighting for the bottom to be heard to get to the top”

Kennedy Kitheka, of Fundi in Cape Town, provides academic and training institutions with a delivery mechanism for their digital material. He says the tour gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to see what they are capable of and to realise they are not that far behind in terms of technology. “Even if you do not seal a deal, you learn a great deal.”

The next MEDO tour will be in September this year. We’ll keep you updated on that front.

Images:MEDO

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This post about MEDO entrepreneurs return to SA after successful international trip first appeared on Ventureburn here.

Ventureburn is a TechMoran publishing partner.

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A few weeks ago we wrote about the three Nigerian finalists who were in the Google’s Africa Connected competition. Today we felt it better to have the whole list of finalists and the judges who have been working so hard behind the secenes ti make the competion a success.

Today, voting has began for the five successful winners from among the ten finalists who will be selected by the online voting public.

The winners will take home $25,000 each, and will also have the opportunity to work with a Google sponsor over a six-month period to further their online business success.  The competition categories included Education; Entertainment/Arts/Sports; Technology; Community and NGOs; and Small Businesses. Nigeria leads with three finalists while Kenya has two.

Launched in August last year, Africa Connected calls entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators and web-lovers to share stories of how the web has transformed their lives and work. The 10 finalists were selected by a panel of judges from over 2,200 entries from 35 countries. They include:

Eric Obuh

A.k.a. Vocal Slender is a musician who used YouTube to distribute his content and Google+ to interact with his fans. His music and online popularity have led him to become earn a living from concerts and appearances. He uses his earnings to raise awareness about underprivileged youngsters in the slums of Lagos where he comes from, thereby providing financial aid for the scholars and encouraging school attendance.

Eseoghene Odiete

Odiete runs Hesey Designs, a women’s apparel and accessories line with pieces ranging from handmade accessories to shoes, slippers, journals, bags, purses and jewelries, all inspired by the African culture. Eseoghene used Google Products to promote her brand as a young entrepreneur, creating international awareness for her fashion label. She now runs workshops to train other women how to generate an income from designing fashion accessories.

Mayowa Adegbile

An initiator of Ashake Foundation. Mayowa initially used YouTube to post an appeal in order to raise funds for her initiative, a business school for widowed mothers, giving them the tools to make a living and support their families. Because of the getting online she is helping to change lives and give the people who need it a second chance in life.

Steve Kyenze, Kenya, Uweza Slum Gallery.

Steve uses Google Search to inspire underprivileged kids through art and helps to improve their skills, so that they can sell their artwork to support their schooling.

Sitawa Wafula, Kenya, My Mind, My Funk

Sitawa is an influential blogger on mental health in East Africa, who has used Google Blogger to establish her award winning blog, which is a reference point for people looking for support and information.

Eunice Namirembe, Uganda, The Medical Concierge Group

Eunice has built a 24-hour accessible ambulance call centre to improve access to health care services, by using the Google API dashboard and Google Maps to record patient information and track patient locations.

Lamine Mbengue, Senegal, SenegalTV

Lamine believes in taking African culture to the rest of the world, and that the Internet is the lifeblood to support his mission. YouTube and AdSense has helped SenegalTV to share their unique content around the world while enabling him to employ others.

Timothy Maguire, South Africa, Grace Communion International

Timothy uses Google Translate while providing humanitarian relief in Portuguese speaking northern Mozambique, so that he can communicate with project members building water purification plants. He also uses Google Search and Google Maps which assists with projects in remote locations.

Nqobizitha Mlilo, Zimbabwe, Nafuna TV

Nqobizitha uses YouTube to post all his new animation and HD video content on his channel to reach a wide audience. He is self-taught, based on information found with Google Search. He is now able to give people in his home country and beyond an alternative form of entertainment not found on traditional channels.

Christopher Panford, Ghana, Technol Services

Christopher uses Google Maps in his vehicle tracking devices to record the location of their vehicles at any point in time. This gives local banks the confidence to provide loans to drivers, thus providing them with a means to earn a living.

You can go to Africaconnected.comto vote for any finalist. Winners will be announced on 1st April at an event in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Africa Connected judges included:

• Adiel A. Akplogan, CEO, African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC), Mauritius
• Nardos Bekele Thomas, Resident Coordinator, United Nations Development Program, Kenya
• Dr. Towela Nyirenda Jere, Programmes Manager, NEPAD e-Africa Programme, New Partnerships for African Development (NEPAD), South Africa
• Temilola Balogun, Radio personality, fashion photographer and artist, Cool FM, Nigeria
• Adv. Leslie Sedibe, CEO, Proudly South African, South Africa
• Wallace Kantai, Editor, NTV, Nation Media Group, Kenya
• Franklin Leonard, Founder, The Black List, USA
• MI Abaga, Artist and UN Ambassador, Chocolate City Music, Nigeria
• Ory Okolloh, Director of Investments, Omidyar Network, South Africa
• Doha Marzouk, Head, Marketing, Sub-Saharan Africa, Google, Egypt

Convergence Partners has joined 4Di Capital Fund 1, as an equal limited partner alongside Reinet Fund S.C.A., F.I.S., and E. Oppenheimer & Son in a move expected to unlock South African entrepreneurial talent.

4Di Capital will also take over Convergence Partners’ current portfolio of technology venture investments which include Integrat, Bloodhound Technologies and Skillpod Media.

In a statement Said Brandon Doyle, CEO of Convergence Partners said: “Historically, we have focused on ICT investments across the full spectrum from smaller early stage companies through to large multinationals and infrastructure projects. With the successful launch late last year of the Convergence Partners Communications Infrastructure Fund, our focus has increasingly been shifting to big ticket pan- African ICT investments that accelerate digital access and development across the continent. The partnership with 4Di will allow us to channel our efforts through experienced experts who will also take over management of our existing VC interests.”

Below is the press release

Convergence Partners invests in technology venture capital firm 4Di Capital

CAPE TOWN, 13 February 2014 – 4Di Capital today announced that Convergence Partners will join as the newest investor in 4Di Capital Fund 1, as an equal limited partner alongside Reinet Fund S.C.A., F.I.S., and E. Oppenheimer & Son.

“We are delighted to welcome the addition of Convergence Partners to our investor base. We both believe in the opportunity offered by the emerging South African technology start-up ecosystem.

Leveraging the accomplished capabilities of such highly regarded investors with our team’s dynamic and unique approach is a powerful combination for unlocking South African entrepreneurial talent in an increasingly globally integrated technology market place.

This vote of confidence from a leading local investor comes at a time when it is challenging to raise capital for this asset class globally, particularly in South Africa,” said Justin Stanford, a founding partner of 4Di Capital and co-founder of the Silicon Cape Initiative.

As a result of the investment, 4Di Capital’s assets under management will double, as the firm will also take over Convergence Partners’ current portfolio of technology venture investments in the form of Integrat, Bloodhound Technologies and Skillpod Media.

Said Brandon Doyle, CEO of Convergence Partners: “Historically, we have focused on ICT investments across the full spectrum from smaller early stage companies through to large multinationals and infrastructure projects. With the successful launch late last year of the Convergence Partners Communications Infrastructure Fund, our focus has increasingly been shifting to big ticket pan- African ICT investments that accelerate digital access and development across the continent. The partnership with 4Di will allow us to channel our efforts through experienced experts who will also take over management of our existing VC interests.”

“We have spent many years assessing the global VC environment and have built a deep understanding of the ecosystem and key players involved,” Andile Ngcaba, Chairman of Convergence Partners, continued. “We were thus looking for partners who have themselves started up successful early stage tech ventures and, importantly, who have built a strong bridge into the global VC market, particularly in the U.S. We believe this transaction aligns us with an experienced and passionate management team as well as other investors who support South African technology innovation.”

Laurie Olivier, U.S based partner of 4Di Capital commented, “We couldn’t think of better partners to add to our already stellar investor base than Andile Ngcaba

and his team, who have the vision and deep technological understanding to get behind our ideas, and who share our values of partnership and collaboration.

The alliance between Convergence Partners, a well-respectedpan-African ICT investment manager, and the highly entrepreneurial 4Di team with its emerging market orientation and solid global beachhead, represents a unique blend of diverse networks and seasoned value-adding experience.”

About 4Di Capital

4Di Capital is an independent early-stage technology venture capital firm based in South Africa’s “Silicon Cape”.

Nurture capital is the term that best describes 4Di Capital’s purpose and philosophy. We understand that in the early days of any business, support, mentoring and access to networks is just as important as seed capital.

Using tried and tested international venture capital best practices, adapted for local use, we believe in agile entrepreneur-friendly finance without frills, and in working as a team with our investees to achieve their true potential.

4Di Capital Fund 1 targets early stage technology startup investment opportunities with high growth potential at the seed- and early-stages in the mobile, enterprise software and web sectors. We look for founder teams with hungry passion, commitment, domain expertise and deep insights into the large market problems they wish to solve with their technology solutions.

About Convergence Partners

Convergence Partners, founded in 2006, is an investment management firm focused on the telecommunications, media and technology sector in Africa. Convergence Partners has a proven track record of developing new investment opportunities, as well as adding value to investments across the life cycle of ICT assets. As impact investors, Convergence Partners is dedicated to catalysing investment capital to accelerate communications access and ICT infrastructure development on the continent, focusing on initiatives that increase availability of communications, broadband services and new technology offerings to the people of Africa. Convergence Partners has two pools of capital under its management; viz.: an on-balance sheet proprietary portfolio and the Convergence Partners Communications Infrastructure Fund.

Convergence Partners has played a leading role in landmark African ICT infrastructure investments, such as:

●SEACOM, the first undersea fibre system serving East Africa and the first independent investor-led undersea system for Africa;

●New Dawn, the first ever African private sector communications satellite; and

Finally, the d-day is here. Tomorrow  the seven finalists of the TechCabal Startup Battlefied will be presenting their pitch/demos to the Faculty and gentlemen of the press ahead of the TechCabal Battlefield finale which takes place on the 21st of February at Four Points by Sheraton at 6:30pm.

Each startup (500Shops, Adugbo, Callbase, CasaGrupo, Decoded, GoKool, PrepClass) was paired with a mentor from the Faculty preparatory to the grand finale on the 21st. Members of the TechCabal Battlefield Faculty include Tomi Davies (Lagos Angel Network), Editi Effiong (Anakle), Femi Taiwo (INITS), Mark Essien (Hotels.ng), Ojoma Ochai (British Council), Lanre Oyedotun (Top Up Genie) and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Fora.co).

The entrepreneurs will compete for the biggest Nigerian technology startup prize ever — $20,000, courtesy of Stanbic IBTC Bank and iROKING.com

Startup Battlefield Demo Day details:
Date: 20th February 2013
Venue: Capital Square, The Garnet Building, Igbo-Efon Roundabout, Lekki Expressway.
Time: 10am

Sponsored by Stanbic IBTC Bank, iROKING, Jobberman, Konga, Etisalat, with support from VC4Africa, Ventureburn, Capital Square, Easy Taxi, Ebonylife TV, YNaija, BellaNaija and RELOADED Magazine,  the TechCabal Battlefield finale takes place on the 21st of February  at Four Points by Sheraton at 6:30pm, where a panel of five judges, including Jason Njoku of iROKO Partners, Akin Oyebode of Stanbic IBTC, Ayodeji Adewunmi of Jobberman, Gbenga Sesan of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, and one mystery judge to be revealed soon will decide which startup will leave the arena with glory, fame and the ultimate prize of $20,000.

Samsung Electronics East Africa has today unveiled six androids apps developed locally by Kenya’s Strathmore IT students, following a partnership research project with the University.

The newly launched apps, that will be available on the Samsung app store in  one week’s time, are part of the program that saw the global electronics giant work closely with Strathmore’s iLab Africa to train and nurture students to come up with localized android applications.

Samsung Electronics East Africa Chief Operating Officer, Robert Ngeru had this to say: “The Samsung app store is accessed by millions of mobile phone subscribers’ globally seeking to download quality android applications in diverse categories such as entertainment, education, games, lifestyle, travel and productivity among others. Kenyan app developers on the android platform have equal access to other global developers to show case their solutions on the Samsung apps store which is a gateway to global technology entrepreneurship.”

The apps launched include:-

• ‘Kenya Law Reports Application’ which allows lawyers and the general public access information such as the constitution, updates on case files, schedule of court cases and the law of Kenya

• The Pharmaceutical Poisons Board App, that allows the public to easily recognize and report side effects on drugs, while also providing a platform to locate and engage a registered pharmacist among other uses.

• The ‘Strathmore Business School App’ which enables them to easily manage their lecture sessions, study group schedules and download lecture content and assignments from the SBS e-learning system. This application also always copy write protection and can be adapted to suit any college and curriculum.

• The ‘Church Application’ which enables users to access general Christian information of people sharing their favorite scriptures, what they like about being a Christian, etc

• ‘Kitoweo African Cuisine’ App which provides recipes of African foods.

The partnership is part of Samsung’s business growth strategy for Kenya and the rest of Africa, which is based on creating an entrepreneurial attitude among the Kenyan youth in the ICT sector.

Through this strategy, Samsung Electronics has put a keen focus on education, strategically seen through the Samsung Engineering Academy which has to date trained thousands of students regionally, providing them with a platform to start their ICT enterprises. The Samsung Digital Village also utilizes solar powered solutions to deliver e-learning and business solutions.

Strathmore University Director for iLab Africa, Dr. Joseph Sevilla said: “The changing business ecosystem calls for innovation among the players, as people constantly seek out the best value for money, user experience and mobile utility.”  

It becomes a real hustle when one has to get tickets to an event, but South Africans are having a pleasant time doing this with their mobile phones.They will be able to purchase their tickets online or through their mobile and simply load their tickets onto their Webtickets card.

‘The Card’, as it is formally known, means you no longer need a printer to print off tickets. And as it’s paperless, it’s not only environmentally-friendly but also speeds up access at venues.

Jonathan Wayne, Co-Founder of Webtickets said: “We launched The Card last year and we’ve been very happy with uptake figures and the added convenience it’s offered. Especially with the increased number of visitors to tourism sites across South Africa, such as Kirstenbosch, the Table Mountain Cableway and the Two Oceans Aquarium, a smooth-running ticketing access system is crucial and The Card provides seamless entry to visitors with the Webtickets card. It fits into your wallet like a credit card, so there’s less chance that you get to the venue and you’ve left your tickets behind”.

Kirstenbosch has appointed Webtickets as their exclusive ticket sales company for all online Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and Summer Sunset Concert tickets.

For venue operators, The Card can be co-branded for particular events and customers may use it to redeem special promotions at the venue or event.

“One of the biggest shifts in online retail is the move to mobile technology with 28 percent of our customers purchasing their tickets via mobiles and tablets. This incredible move to mobile encouraged us to implement a ticketing solution for these shoppers. They no longer have to worry about printing off their tickets; they merely select to have their tickets loaded onto their Webtickets card whilst purchasing them online,” said Christy Turner, Co-Founder of Webtickets.

The Card can be used to load a variety of tickets and the tickets will be redeemed electronically upon scanning at the venue. Another great benefit is that the Webtickets card is transferable and can be used as a gift card.