Softstart, BTi to merge

The Softstart Incubator located in Tshwane and the Bodibeng Technology Incubator (BTi) located in Midrand have announced their intent to merge on 1 April 2006 to establish a new, larger, more sustainable incubator, SoftstartBTI (Softstart Business and Technology Incubator).

The respective Softstart and Bodibeng boards have committed to the creation of a new, best-of-breed incubator, utilising the strengths and lessons learned of the current incubators, through the setting of a new strategy and set of objectives.

This ICT and electronics incubator, which will assist high potential entrepreneurs in growing sustainable businesses, is likely to make a substantially greater impact on the economy in terms of wealth and job creation.

The Softstart and the Bodibeng Technology Incubators are supported by the GODISA Trust, an initiative of the Departments of Trade and Industry and Science and Technology.

GODISA CEO Charles Wyeth comments: "The consolidation of Softstart and Bodibeng makes strategic sense as their real-estate and virtual incubation models respectively, are highly complementary."

He continues: "The growth of these pilot centres into a single entity will achieve critical mass, exploit economies of scale, and result in the establishment the largest ICTe incubator in Africa."

A steering committee that is representative of both institutions has been established to manage the consolidation process. Various strategies are being implemented and additional funding is sought to establish a feasible model in an ideal new location.

The scaled up incubator will incorporate all the learning and skill sets acquired over the last three years by the individual incubators. Collectively they currently have 1 500m2 of office space and 50 seats for entrepreneurs. They have contributed millions to the local economy, have supported hundreds of companies and have created 500 jobs.