The Bodibeng Technology Incubator (BTI), a Section 21 company that provides business incubation services to the ICT sector, has a mission to support and aid the development of technology-based businesses, for the benefit of both the entrepreneurs as well as the South African economy. Start-up or established companies can join the BTI on a personal one-on-one basis or they can become members of the BTI Domain by registering on the BTI web site (www.bti.co.za).
Registration on the web site is free and is accessible by all wanting to become a member of the BTI Domain. Once registered, the members have access to a tailored source of business information aimed specifically at start-up and growing companies in the Information, communication and Electronics industries. This information ranges from how to write a business plan, through to tenders and sourcing funding opportunities. BTI functions and industry events are listed, as well as contact details of BTI Domain`s list of accredited service providers.
The BTI Domain also serves to provide a forum whereby its members can interact electronically with the BTI`s specialist node managers as well as with each other.
Says Brett Hamilton, BTI Domain Manager, "www.bti.co.za is the means we have chosen of getting people and companies talking. Companies interacting with each other, supporting each other and profiting from each other is one of our main aims at the BTI. What better way to do it for businesses in the ICT sector than via a web portal. The web site allows communication between companies that would not have met during their normal activities. It also enables BTI to make their expertise and assistance far more wide-reaching than they would be able to on a one-on-one basis".
Since re-launching the BTI website in December 2003 the BTI Domain has grown to almost 400 members, most of them in the start-up and early phase of their business development.
BTI has also launched its Technology Forums on the web site. These discussion areas are intended to stimulate debate and provide members the ability to share their views and opinions. BTI Technology Forums also includes an Expert Assistance Program which allows members to consult with a panel of experts from varying fields, such as Open Source or Project Management, to enable the member to have specific business and technology questions answered.
"It is the intention of the BTI to aid in the building of a strong South African ICT sector. Getting companies and service providers effectively networked is essential to this intended success. We see the growth of the BTI Domain, through the web site, as being an integral step on the path to a strong ICT base accessible by all South Africans," concludes Hamilton.
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