The Bodibeng Technology Incubator (BTI) in conjunction with Voxel Innovation Support Centre has received a development grant from the World Bank`s InfoDev initiative. The South African Technology Incubator Network (SATIN) will be developed through this grant to enhance the current capacities of the existing high technology incubators in South Africa. SATIN will then transfer this knowledge and learning to other incubators that operate with survivalist entrepreneurs.
South Africa is placed at a critical place in its development path with a small, skilled, ICT literate community, living adjacent to a large part of the population that is poverty stricken and who do not have access to the benefits of information technology. SATIN will have a measurable impact on the success rate of incubators in their attempt to alleviate poverty and to uplift people from previously disadvantaged groups.
The SATIN project will be developed by the Bodibeng Technology Incubator, Voxel Technologies Innovation Support Center, and SoftStart IT Incubator. It is also supported by the government`s incubation agency, Godisa Trust.
The Information for Development Program - infoDev, is a multi-donor grant facility that supports innovative projects demonstrating the development opportunities offered by information and communication technologies (ICTs).
infoDev`s mission is to promote the application of these technologies and the sharing of successful ICT practices for social and economic development, with a special emphasis on the needs of the poor in developing countries.
BTI is a virtual networked incubator, focusing on the Information, Communications and Electronics Technology markets, supporting high-tech entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses. BTI focuses on the needs of early phase entrepreneurs by providing hands-on business mentoring and by connecting them to a global network of partners, associates, consultants, lenders and investors. They offer these services to the entire technology development and entrepreneurship value chain.
Voxel Innovation Support Centre is based in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. It strives to support, encourage and stimulate new technology ideas and through efficient and effective support, to optimise and commercialise those ideas..
The GODISA Trust provides support to South African Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). This support directly helps inventors, start up and young enterprises to optimise technology to improve the competitiveness of products and services.
More information on BTI is available from the BTI website (www.bti.co.za).
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