Johannesburg, 20 Nov 2018
Dimension Data has expanded its partnership with innovation ecosystem coordinator Silicon Cape, by joining as a blue member of its Africa-first membership.
The Africa-first membership model that was introduced in July 2018, to support structured and proactive engagement with the startup ecosystem in the wider cape region.
According to Kerry Petrie, general manager of Silicon Cape: "It is exciting to take our relationship with Dimension Data into the next phase of the Silicon Cape evolution. Their purposeful commitment to the ecosystem and investment in local innovation is important, and it is validating to have them continue on this journey with us."
For Grant Bodley, CEO Dimension Data Middle East and Africa "Our partnership with Silicon Cape, is motivated by our commitment to corporate citizenship and recognition that for organisations, like ourselves to succeed, our South African economy and all stakeholders in the economic ecosystem need to thrive."
The enterprise values innovation and has already accessed membership benefits such as a "Dedicated Start-up Day", where Silicon Cape curated a group of local IOT start-ups to facilitate tech entrepreneurs to engage with Dimension Data's technical and strategic staff teams to stimulate co-creation, collaboration, and sharing of technical and market insights.
Dimension Data and Silicon Cape are planning a number of strategic collaborations which are set to be announce in 2019.
Open innovation challenge
Dimension Data has recently made it official that it will be hosting the South African applications for the NTT Data Open Innovation Contest, on 8 February 2019, in Cape Town, with the regional winners being invited to the Grand Finale in Tokyo in March of 2019.
NTT Data Corporation (NTT Data), a global IT services provider headquartered in Tokyo, is hosting an Open Innovation Contest in search of new partners and businesses.
This will be the corporation's 9th Open Innovation Contest and it is currently accepting applications through the contest's official Web site. Regional contests will be held in 20 cities across 18 countries.
NTT Data works towards solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through open innovation.
Any startup is welcome to submit a proposal for a collaborative business with NTT Data in fields such as healthcare and life sciences, finance, insurance and payments, automotive and IOT, RPA and back office, storefront and digital marketing, data distribution and disruptive social innovation.
The Grand Finale in Tokyo will be held in March 2019. NTT Data will cover travel expenses for the presenter of each winner of the regional semi-final. The Grand Finale winner will receive a three-month in-kind contribution to support the development of their proposed new business.
Click here to enter and remember closing date for entries is 21 November 2018, 5PM (JST).
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