Incubation hub established for software start-ups

By Staff Writer for SoftstartBTI

Johannesburg, 25 Jul 2002

In another move aimed at boosting local IT start-ups, the Godisa Trust has launched a software incubation hub at the CSIR campus in Pretoria.

The new hub, named Softstart, will focus on incubating software companies, while the existing IT business incubator at the CSIR, Innovation Hub, focuses more on hardware companies, says Softstart CEO Ben Zaaiman.

He says Softstart will support high-potential small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with strategic and operational mentoring, "plug-and-play" office space and shared resources such as reception, phone answering and Internet access. Softstart is also continuously developing its network of linked service providers. "But the most important service Softstart provides is gaining access to start-up capital for clients," he says.

Software entrepreneurs are offered tenancy, investment tenancy or affiliation participation for varying levels of support by the trust. The Godisa Trust programme is supported by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry, and is substantially funded by the European Union. The founders of the trust include the University of Pretoria, the Technikon of Pretoria and the CSIR.

Zaaiman says incubators such as Softstart within the Godisa programme aim to develop improved enterprise performance, enhance profitability and growth, and to offer accessibility and utility of technology and management support for South African SMEs. He says the programme will enhance the success and growth of the technology-oriented SME sector.