The #HackJozi Challenge opens application for startups with ideas using digital technology to address problems in the community.
Issues to be addressed cuts across every aspect of life as long as it solves one problem or the other. #HackJozi will supply tech partners to those whose ideas will be selected.
The participants can be either an individual or a team with relevant technical capability, must reside within Johannesburg and environs and must have a valid South Africa ID. Government employees are not eligible. Applications are via YouTube video and online. Deadline submission is Friday, 6 March.
Zolani Matebese, the head of broadband at the City of Johannesburg says, “Your digital solution to a problem in Jozi could be the ticket to launching your start-up. With prizes valued at R5 million at stake, the #Hack.Jozi Challenge wants to find the most innovative digital ideas to enrich the lives of the people of Joburg.”
The selected winners will be taken to Jozi’s digital hub in Braamfontein to meet with mentors, advisors, and partners in other to make their vision of helping their community a reality. Also includes one-month intensive business training, technical hackathons and a demo day where the winners will be required to demonstrate their business strategies.
The winners will be rewarded with R5, 000,000 and receive one year free hosting credit for their business applications from IBM.
Matebese continues, “The #Hack.Jozi Challenge is a boot camp for start-up entrepreneurs and our aim is to contribute towards fostering skills, innovation and entrepreneurship in the broad area of digital technology.”
The #HackJozi Challenge is a joint effort between City of Johannesburg and the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE), supported by IBM.
