Mercedes-Benz SA (MBSA) has announced the winners of its R900 000 innovation challenge.
The motoring giant says following a rigorous judging process by a panel that included high-profile representatives from Daimler AG, the three category winners and an overall winner were named in the MBSA Innovation Challenge held on Friday.
Nine finalists presented their innovative ideas at a final selection event in the MBSA East London plant - the culmination of a partnership between MBSA, the LaunchLab and Start-up Autobahn that kicked off at the end of August.
The two winners in the manufacturing category were DataProphet, a group of machine learning specialists which provides artificial intelligence and machine learning development through corporate partnerships, and Vizbility Insight, an artificial intelligence company specialising in globally scalable predictive and prescriptive risk management software.
The winner in the sales and marketing category was NumberBoost, a start-up that builds machine learning and artificial intelligence applications.
These category winners each receive R300 000 to pilot their idea for future use within MBSA. The overall winner, announced as DataProphet, will travel to Europe next year to pitch the idea in front of hundreds of automotive decision-makers at a big Start-up Autobahn event in Germany.
"I am highly impressed with the innovative solutions that were displayed at the MBSA Innovation Challenge," says Markus Sch"afer, member of the divisional board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, manufacturing and supply chain for Daimler AG, MBSA's parent company.
"South Africa has some serious talent. The presentations were absolutely awesome and provided real solutions to the tasks that we face as a company. I congratulate all start-ups that presented at this event."
The MBSA Innovation Challenge targeted two streams. It asked interested students and professionals (as a first stream) and existing start-ups (as a second stream) to pitch their ideas to revolutionise the automotive manufacturing and marketing and sales environment.
"From an MBSA perspective, this challenge is crucial in that it will assist us in increasing agility while developing internal capability that changes organisational culture and the way we work. Most importantly, these innovative ideas will allow us to respond to changes and adapt to new market challenges quicker. In this process, we can increase our productivity," says Andreas Engling, MBSA CEO and executive director of manufacturing.
He points out that innovation has always been a key to success for the automotive sector. In a world where disruption reigns and new opportunities need to be seized, innovation will be even more important in future, Engling notes.
"Start-up Autobahn globally scouts start-ups and matches them to the right colleagues within Daimler. I am impressed about the passion and capabilities of the South African start-ups in the challenge and I am really excited about the results we will see during the next months," says Anne Knierim, senior manager, technology management and research policy and head of Start-up Autobahn.
The challenge also aims to provide a gateway for existing start-ups to grow and sustain their businesses.
MBSA will extend the opportunity for the student stream into 2018, to determine who will get the opportunity to be enrolled by the LaunchLab in its Lift-Off Programme for an initial three-month period. The Lift-Off Programme will be facilitated from the Nedbank Stellenbosch University LaunchLab, in Stellenbosch.
"This is what the LaunchLab is all about - facilitating valuable connections for start-ups and corporates for their mutual benefit. Through this Innovation Challenge, South African start-ups can have a global impact," says Philip Marais, CEO of the LaunchLab.
"Financial support from MBSA and support from high-profile representatives from Daimler and MBSA has really raised the profile of this event and helped to make it a great success. Well done to the winners."