Innovation City Cape Town

🎉 Big Congratulations to Happy Pay on Securing $1.8M Pre-Seed Funding! We’re excited to celebrate one of our own at Innovation City, Happy Pay, for reaching a major milestone in their journey to revolutionise financial inclusion in South Africa and beyond! With this $1.8M pre-seed round and impressive growth, they’re making waves in the fintech space. Happy Pay's team, led by Patrick Postrehovsky, Wesley Billett, Mark Geary and Morne Augustyn, has done an incredible job, driving: 🔸 800% GMV growth in 2024 🔸 500% revenue growth in 2024 🔸 100 NPS score We’re proud to have Happy Pay as part of our Innovation City community, where innovation and impact come together. This is only the beginning - let’s keep building and driving change across the continent! 🚀 Want to read more? Check out the full story here. #InnovationCity #HappyPay #Fintech #FinancialInclusion #BNPL #Entrepreneurship #Growth #Innovation #ProudMoment

📢 Fuel Your Hustle at The Business Ink Tank with Pippa Hudson! Ready to learn from one of South Africa’s top media personalities? Join Pippa Hudson, On-Air Host at Cape Talk, at the Business Ink Tank event at Innovation City Cape Town on 20 September, 2024. Pippa will host insightful discussions with renowned business authors and leaders, bringing her unique perspective on media, communication, and success in South Africa. You have so much to gain by attending: 🎤 Media Insights: Learn from Pippa’s experience in the media industry and gain tips on effective communication. 💡 Inspiration: Be inspired by her journey in becoming a top on-air host in South Africa. 🤝 Network & Grow: Connect with business minds and media experts to sharpen your own communication skills. Elevate your media game and grow your network! Buy your ticket here: https://qkt.io/QMksul #BusinessInkTank #Entrepreneurship #MediaSuccess #FuelYourHustle #InnovationCity NB-Uitgewers/Publishers Wordsworth Books News24 South Africa

📢 Fuel Your Hustle at The Business Ink Tank with Nicky Stubbs! Ready to elevate your corporate culture and build meaningful connections? Join Nicky Stubbs, author of "For Friends & Family," at the Business Ink Tank event at Innovation City Cape Town on 20 September, 2024. Nicky will share her unique insights into fostering strong relationships and leading teams with heart and purpose. You have so much to gain by attending: 💼 Corporate Culture: Learn how to cultivate meaningful relationships and a positive corporate environment. 💡 Inspiration: Discover how Nicky has blended personal values with corporate success. 🤝 Connect with like-minded leaders and professionals focused on purposeful leadership on the day. Unlock the secrets to building a corporate culture that lasts! Buy your ticket here: https://qkt.io/QMksul #BusinessInkTank #Entrepreneurship #CorporateCulture #FuelYourHustle #InnovationCity

Accelerate Your Success: South Africa's Fastest Business Pitching Event 🚀 Are you driving innovation in sectors like fintech, insurtech, medtech, biotech, agritech, edtech, greentech, e-commerce, or gaming? Or perhaps you’re working on Afrocentric innovation, solving African challenges in unique and impactful ways? Don’t miss your chance to shine at Innovation City’s third annual Business Pitching Event on November 7! Showcase your breakthrough solutions to investors, VCs, corporates, and venture builders eager to support your growth. Why you should participate: 🔵 Startups & Scale-ups: Pitch your business to the right audience—whether you're looking for funding, partnerships, or acceleration. Ideal for Pre-Seed, Angel, Seed, and Series A companies. 🔵 High-Growth Sectors: Innovating in fintech, agritech, greentech, or other cutting-edge industries? This is your moment to make connections that can catapult your business forward. 🔵 4-Minute Pitches: Engage in rapid-fire pitching sessions with 1-minute transitions. Make every second count to capture investor interest. How It Works: 🔵 Pitching Rounds: Pitch your business for 4 minutes to top investors, VCs, and corporate innovators. 🔵 Post-event Networking: Seal the deal during an informal networking session right after the pitching rounds. Event Details: 🗓️ Date: November 7, 2024 🕒 Time: 15:00 - 18:00 📍 Location: Innovation City, Cape Town Ready to take your business to the next level? Register now for the event that brings Africa’s best and brightest startups together with top investors. Limited spaces available. Register: https://lnkd.in/djk4AFGT

The "Fintech: Boom or Bubble?" event, moderated by Johan Bosini of Quona Capital, brought together fintech leaders to discuss the industry's future. Here are our key takeaways: 💥 Boom or Bubble? General consensus leaned towards a boom, particularly in payments, but with cautious optimism. Fintech is growing fast, and partnerships with established banks and players are seen as key factor in sustaining growth. Joshua Shimkin (Peach Payments) emphasised that fintech has been riding the wave for some time, while Patrick Postrehovsky (Happy Pay) highlighted the significant growth curve his company is experiencing. Bernard Willer (Paytec) cautioned that while growth is slower, it must be sustainable, focusing on process over tech. Fintech's Role in Financial Inclusion: A recurring theme was the responsibility of fintech to address the needs of the financially excluded. Willer pointed out fintech’s ability to deliver niche services to people who are often left out of traditional banking systems. Banks vs. Fintech: Partners, Not Competitors: Fintech is not competing but complementing banks, which are generally risk-averse and slow to innovate. Fintechs can act quickly and take risks. Paulina Klotzbücher (Glyde Payments) mentioned banks' inefficiencies, but recognised that they face stricter regulatory frameworks. Fintechs see banks as partners, especially in areas like payments, with partnerships enabling quicker execution and growth. Regulation & Fintech Innovation: Regulation is a significant barrier to rapid fintech innovation. Muhammad Nana (Mastercard) shared that SA Reserve Bank's Vision 2025 includes creating sandboxes to foster fintech experimentation. Klotzbücher said we are on the cusp of fundamental changes in fintech, but regulatory frameworks need to catch up to unlock more opportunities. Funding & Cautious Capital Deployment: Access to capital remains a challenge, with venture capital becoming more cautious. Postrehovsky shared that his latest funding round took time to close, reflecting the cautious approach of investors. There was also a warning about inflated valuations and the need for burn rate discipline; investors now focused on how efficiently fintechs use their capital. Innovation Beyond Payments: Zachariah George emphasised the need for innovation beyond payments, suggesting opportunities in peer-to-peer lending, credit scoring, and stock trading. Klotzbücher agreed; there are still many untapped areas in fintech to explore, which could become game-changers. Fintech: 5 Year Forecast:  🔮 Willer predicts expansion into emerging markets. 🔮 Postrehovsky expects open banking to transform innovation in SA. 🔮 Shimkin sees AI driving new loans and credit scoring innovations, as well as creating better customer experiences in areas like fan engagement. 🔮 Klotzbücher predicts real-time payments and regulated stable coins will be recognised and widely adopted. Thanks to the panel and to everyone attending!

📢 Fuel Your Hustle at The Business Ink Tank with author Ebbe Dommisse! Interested in how Anton Rupert built his empire? Join Ebbe Dommisse, author of "Anton Rupert: The Life of a Business Icon" at the Business Ink Tank at Innovation City Cape Town on 20 September, 2024. Ebbe will offer a fascinating glimpse into the life and strategies of one of South Africa’s most successful businessmen. Why Attend His Session: 💼 Business Growth: Learn the key decisions and strategies that built Rupert’s business empire. 💡 Inspiring Story: Gain insights from one of South Africa’s most respected business figures. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a South African business legend! Buy your ticket here: https://qkt.io/QMksul #BusinessInkTank #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #FuelYourHustle

📢 Fuel Your Hustle at The Business Ink Tank with author Catherine Black! Ready to take your business to the next level in the digital world? Join Catherine Black, author of "Small Business, Big Plans," at the Business Ink Tank event at Innovation City Cape Town on 20 September, 2024. Catherine will share powerful strategies to help you dominate the digital space, ensuring your business not only survives but thrives in today’s competitive online environment. Don’t miss this session to gain actionable insights into building a strong digital presence! You have so much to gain by attending: 🌐 Digital Strategies: Learn how to establish a robust online presence that drives growth. 💡 Inspiration: Hear practical tips for taking your small business to the next level in the digital age. 🤝 Network & Grow: Connect with entrepreneurs and digital experts eager to elevate their digital game. Unlock the secrets to thriving in the digital world! Buy your ticket here: https://qkt.io/QMksul #BusinessInkTank #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #FuelYourHustle #InnovationCity

📢 Fuel Your Hustle at The Business Ink Tank with Bronwyn Williams! Want to stay ahead of the curve? Join Bronwyn Williams, author of "The Future: More than 80 Key Trends for South Africa," at the Business Ink Tank event at Innovation City Cape Town on 20 September, 2024. Bronwyn will give a sneak peek into the trends shaping South Africa’s future business landscape, helping you prepare for what’s next in a rapidly evolving world. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights on how to future-proof your business. You have so much to gain by attending: 🔮 Future Trends: Get a glimpse of the major trends that will shape the business world in South Africa. 💡 Inspiration: Learn how to anticipate and capitalise on future opportunities for your business. 🤝 Network & Grow: Connect with forward-thinking entrepreneurs and leaders shaping the future. Unlock insights into the future of South African business! Buy your ticket here: https://qkt.io/QMksul #BusinessInkTank #Entrepreneurship #FutureTrends #FuelYourHustle #TheFutureOfBusiness #InnovationCity

📢 Michelle Kleu Appointed CEO of Innovation City Cape Town 🚀 We’re excited to announce Michelle Kleu as the new CEO of Innovation City Cape Town! With her extensive background in management consulting, high-performance sports coaching, and startup leadership, Michelle is set to lead Innovation City into a new era of growth. Under her leadership, Innovation City has already hosted major events like the Innovation City Awards, strengthened global collaborations, and championed the Afrocentric Innovation movement. Michelle’s appointment marks an exciting step forward for Cape Town’s tech ecosystem. We are so lucky to have you on board, Michelle! 🙌 Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/d36V7yJw #InnovationCity #CapeTownTech #Leadership #TechEcosystem #Innovation

📢 Fuel Your Hustle at The Business Ink Tank with author Michael Cardo! Get an insider’s view into the life of one of South Africa’s most iconic business figures. Join Michael Cardo, author of "Harry Oppenheimer: Diamonds, Gold and Dynasty," at the Business Ink Tank event at Innovation City Cape Town on 20 September, 2024. Michael will participate in a captivating panel discussion with fellow authors TJ Strydom ("Koos Bekker’s Billions") and Ebbe Dommisse ("Anton Rupert"), where they’ll dive into the lives and strategies of these business giants. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes stories and key lessons from some of South Africa’s leading billionaires. You have so much to gain by attending: 💼 Business Wisdom: Learn the strategies that shaped Harry Oppenheimer’s monumental success. 💡 Inspiration: Discover the impact of one of South Africa’s greatest business and philanthropic leaders. 🤝 Network & Grow: Engage with fellow entrepreneurs and learn from a renowned author and thought leader. Unlock the secrets behind South Africa’s top business figures! Buy your ticket here: https://qkt.io/QMksul #BusinessInkTank #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #FuelYourHustle #HarryOppenheimer