As the world gets ready to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) from 13 to 17 November 2017, the Tshimologong Precinct at Wits University, has joined the movement and will form part of the 170 countries celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. With a chosen theme of Industry 4.0, Tshimologong will focus on Entrepreneurship in the New Digital Landscape.
Lesley Williams, CEO, Tshimologong says that Industry 4.0 is already changing the way we communicate, consume and produce: “The impact on society is immense as business, governments and civil society have to change the way they think and operate. Entrepreneurs need to understand the integrated ecosystem of the Internet of Things (IoT) and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is disrupting the enterprise and the new opportunities and spring board for innovation this offers.”
Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. Williams says that during this week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey: “These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors, introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.”
With the theme of Entrepreneurship in the New Digital Landscape, Tshimologong activities will serve as an introduction to Industry 4.0 and present ways in which entrepreneurs can participate in this new digital landscape. Williams says there will be an emphasis on how to leverage technology to innovate and run sustainable businesses.
Planned events include Navigating the Digital Innovation Landscape, IoT workshops, Data Science and Lean Business Methodology master classes, AI/VR/AR sessions including a pitching competition at the App Factory. Participants stand a chance to win Tshimologong membership which includes access to:
Co-working facilities,
Meeting rooms and venue space
Technology and business development programmes,
Legal advisory and book keeping services,
Member only events,
Tshimologong partner networking events
To register visit www.tshimologong.joburg/GEW
About Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct
Setswana for “new beginnings”, Tshimologong is Johannesburg’s newest high-tech address in the vibrant inner-city district of Braamfontein, where the incubation of start-ups, the commercialisation of research and the development of high-level digital skills for students, working professionals and unemployed youths takes place. The Precinct was launched in September 2016 with support from major companies including Microsoft, Cisco, Datacentrix, Telkom, ACSA and MMI. Gauteng Province through its Department of E-Government and the City of Johannesburg have also provided significant support. The Precinct also houses the prestigious IBM Research’s Lab Africa – one of only 12 such facilities in the world. Website: www.tshimologong.joburg