The consulate general of the Kingdom of the Netherlands' latest #cocreateSA initiative will see South African tech SMEs partner with Dutch innovators to tackle business challenges, during the Open Design Festival in Cape Town next month.
#CocreateSA is a platform designed by the consulate to foster partnerships between the countries. The challenge taking place next month will be called #cocreate2ACCELERATE.
"South Africa and the Netherlands are both innovation hubs," says Dutch consul-general Bonnie Horbach.
"The companies participating in #cocreate2ACCELERATE are some of the most innovative in their field. It is important for us to support South African SMEs by creating mutually beneficial long-term partnerships and economic growth."
Five South African companies will be partnered with five Dutch innovative entrepreneurs or business strategists for the 10 days.
The teams will work on solving problems their companies are facing, including expanding a firm using a flat organisation structure or trying to take a business overseas.
The South Africa companies involved are gaming development companies Sea Monster and RetroEpic, app builder Polymorph, app and innovation specialist &Innovation, and agricultural technology business GreenFingers Mobile.
The team of Dutch innovators include Jan Henk Bouman, Esther Jacobs, Kevin Weijers, Anke Kuipers and Jabbo Smulders.
Dutch investors CM Telecom and T-Mobile's innovation lab T-Next will also be present to share knowledge and experience among the participants.