What SA can learn from #VivaTech, the French tech scene
AFEW DAYS ago #VivaTech hosted a technology show in France, where French President Emmanuel Macron kick-started France's programme for AI leadership.
The show was attended by technology start-ups across the world.
Business Report interviewed Tumi Menyatswe, one of the participants, who is the founder of Minderz and the head of ecosystems at Silicon Cape.
Tumi Menyatswe said the 2018 VivaTech conference was an inspirational platform for African start-ups.
Menyatswe said one of the major lessons from the event was the need for a more consolidated South African tech eco-system in order to sell a single story to the international market.
There was a need for greater collaboration within the South African tech eco-system with Pretoria, Joburg and Cape Town tech eco-systems currently working in silos.
Menyatswe also highlighted the role played by other governments to promote tech small businesses within their countries.
“Countries such as Morocco did very well in driving a national programme to support tech small businesses and the result were showing at #VivaTech”, she indicated.
Macron unveiled a €10 billion (R147.68bn) fund to give visibility to innovation in France and create a more attractive environment for entrepreneurs. He said the French government, through the French Development Agency, would launch a R900 million-programme aimed at investing in African start-ups.
Menyatswe called on South Africa to consider a technology start-up fund, and more support by the South African government for tech small businesses in order to truly drive innovation in South Africa.
Legazy, a business that supports startups in South Africa, was able to support 30 South African start-ups to participate in the conference and access opportunities.
Legazy is a full-service start-up-centric business, built for now, to support start-ups in South Africa on their quest to disrupt. They partner with the world's very best to up-skill, invest in and collaborate with South African start-ups.
Wesley Diphoko is the founder of Kaya Labs and the chief executive of Infonomist. He is chairperson of the IEEE Open Data Initiative (Industry Connections programme) in South Africa. Follow him on Twitter for more insights on the Information Economy: @WesleyDiphoko.