Innovation City Cape Town

We travel the world so we can discover new, exciting and innovative ways to put on events with that ‘wow’ factor for you! Coming up on 12 and 13 March in 2025 at Innovation City is Web In Travel Africa - our second time hosting this incredible event - ideal for everyone and anyone interested in thriving in the travel industry and beyond! Get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/dM9zZQfH

OMG! 😃 You can now listen to the incredibly insightful panel discussion which happened at our Business Ink Tank event featuring the amazing Lincoln Mali, the ever-so-wise Mteto Nyati and the lovely Nicky Stubbs! ⭐

Check out a teeny tiny snippet of our Co-Founder stephan ekbergh as he introduces ‘the Studio 54 for entrepreneurs’ (that’s us!) to a packed audience at WiT Singapore!!!! #proudlyZA #CapeTown #InnovationCity

🌍 Is ESG the Future or Just Hype? 🌍 As the world shifts towards sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has emerged as a hot topic. But is it truly delivering on its promises, or is it just corporate hype? At a recent Innovation City event, Karen Daniels from Ethical Edge Advisory explored the realities of ESG and the challenges businesses face in making it more than just a buzzword. From modern slavery to fast fashion, Daniels highlighted pressing issues and outlined how companies can turn ESG principles into actionable strategies that drive long-term value. 👉 Read the full article! #ESG #Sustainability #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #CorporateResponsibility #EthicalBusiness #InnovationCity

Do you want 3 minutes on our stage at Innovation City? 🎤 Join us for our brand new event to 'Find Your Co-Founder!' This event isn’t just about finding a co-founder – it’s about creating meaningful connections with like-minded business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators who can help you take your business to the next level. Join us at Innovation City on 23 October 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for an evening of pitching, connecting, and discovering opportunities! Who should attend? 👍 Entrepreneurs and founders seeking a co-founder or strategic partner. 👍 Senior developers interested in side hustles or new ventures. 👍 Innovators looking for technical or commercial collaborators. 👍 Anyone ready to explore partnerships and long-term business relationships. 🎤 What to expect: ➡️ Pitch yourself and your vision in a 3-minute slot. ➡️ Network with a community of entrepreneurs, developers, and innovators. ➡️ Discover opportunities to collaborate, build partnerships, and launch new ventures. 🍷 With drinks to keep the conversations flowing, this is your chance to spark connections that could lead to big business moves! Limited spaces available – register today: https://lnkd.in/eXba88is #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #NetworkingEvent #Startups #BusinessPartnerships #InnovationCity

At our recent event, Karen Daniels from Ethical Edge Advisory discussed the evolving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) landscape. Here are the key takeaways: 🌍 ESG is more than a trend; it's a framework for building sustainability into business operations. Adopting ESG improves financial performance, attracts customers, retains talent, and drives long-term resilience and innovation. ESG Challenges: ➡️ Fast Fashion: Countries like Kenya are overwhelmed by discarded clothing from wealthier nations, burdening their environment. ➡️ Modern Slavery: South Africa ranks in the top 50 globally for child labour, with 15% of children aged 5-14 involved in sectors like agriculture, street vending, and sex work. ➡️ Supply Chain Risks: Businesses must recognise the dangers lurking in their supply chains, such as forced labour, water pollution, CO2 emissions, and unfair wages. Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: ➡️ Companies must take responsibility for their entire value chain. Failing to do so can result in legal and reputational risks. Being proactive in mitigating these risks is essential for protecting brand value and compliance. ➡️ The ESG market is expanding rapidly. In 2022, Moody’s predicted that $1.35 trillion would be invested globally in sustainable bonds - up from $200 billion five years prior. This growth demonstrates that investing in ESG is not just ethical, but also financially rewarding. Companies with strong ESG practices outperform their peers by delivering better returns and increased market resilience. Government Incentives and Compliance: ➡️ Countries like SA are rolling out incentives to encourage sustainable business practices. SA Green Fund, for eg, aims to reduce poverty and create jobs by facilitating investments in green initiatives. Businesses hoping to trade with regions like Europe will soon be required to produce detailed ESG reports, or risk fines and reputational damage. ➡️ In Africa, ESG efforts often focus on human rights, labour, and anti-corruption. While environmental concerns are important, meeting basic human needs remains the priority for many communities. Karen outlined a three-step approach for integrating ESG: 1️⃣ Governance and Risk Mapping: Identify the biggest risks in your value chain and begin addressing them. 2️⃣ Supplier Assessment: Audit labour practices, fair wage standards, and sustainability compliance. 3️⃣ Risk Mitigation: Develop codes of conduct and educate suppliers on best practices, including wage fairness and environmental impact reduction. Effective ESG reporting requires detailed data collection throughout your supply chain, though this can be challenging. Companies must stay diligent and continuously improve their systems to remain compliant. Businesses that adopt ESG see better performance, innovation, and reputation. Thank you for joining us at Innovation City, and a special thanks to Karen for sharing these valuable insights on the future of ESG!

Member Milestones: Adbot CEO Michelle Geere Goes to Ireland 🍀 At Innovation City, our members are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, both locally and internationally. One standout story comes from Michelle Geere, CEO of Adbot, who recently embarked on a journey to Ireland for the Irish Tech Challenge 2024. Read all about her adventure below!

Have you signed up for Tinder for Business 2024 yet?! 🔥 Calling all startups, scale-ups, investors, and corporate innovators - here’s your chance to expand your network and make meaningful connections, fast! 🗓️ Date: 7 November 2024 ⏰ Time: 15h00 - 19h00 📍 Location: Innovation City Cape Town Looking for investors, partners, or clients to take your business to the next level? This is the place to be! With tailored matchmaking, 5-minute rounds, and a no-pressure environment, you’ll be able to: 🔥 Perfect your pitch 🔥 Meet top investors and industry leaders - we do the matching for you! 🔥 Maximise opportunities for growth ✨ Don't just take our word for it! Check out this testimonial from last year’s event to hear firsthand how it helped attendees fast-track their success. 📽️⬇️ Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/d9yh6kuQ #InnovationCity #Networking #BusinessSpeedDating #TinderforBusiness #Startups #Entrepreneurs #CapeTown #ScaleUp #Investors #BusinessGrowth #Opportunities #Innovation

The recent 'Presenting with Impact' Masterclass with Adrian van der Velden at Innovation City Cape Town was truly informative! Here are some key takeaways from this fantastic session: The Roots of Stage Fright: Where do our inhibitions stem from? Nervousness, sweating, butterflies... it’s all actually rooted in human history. Presenting in front of a group used to signal danger. While genuine threats are rare today, our bodies still react as if they’re real. Knowing this can help us control these reactions. Confidence Starts with Language: Crutches like "um," "like," or "well" devalue your message. Instead of apologising, substitute these words with silence or gratitude. For instance, change "I’m sorry" to "Thank you for your patience." Stand tall, fix the problem, and move forward confidently! Pro tip: Use the 'Just Not Sorry' Gmail Chrome plugin to catch undermining phrases in emails!✨ Presenting 101: 🎤 Clear Structure: Have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Ensure each slide has a key message. 🎤 Use the Sandwich Principle: Tell them what you’ll say, say it, and recap what you’ve said. 🎤 Build trust, create connection, and be brief! 💫 Concentration spans typically last around 9 minutes - keep your audience engaged by switching topics or speakers regularly. 🎙️ Tech mishaps? Know your tools beforehand - don’t let them derail your flow. 🎤 Great Openers: Engage your audience right from the start to set the tone and grab attention. Online Presentations: 💻 Light from the front, use your hands to show you’re engaged, and always look into the camera (not at yourself!). 💻 Test your audio and tech, and have a backup plan. Assign someone to monitor chat or other tech functions if needed. 💻 Appear on camera from mid-torso upwards - this shows animation and professionalism. ✨ Positioning: Forget “fake it till you make it” and instead face it till you make it! Your energy, knowledge, and authenticity are what will resonate with your audience. A big thank you to Adrian for leading such a powerful session, and to everyone who joined us. Let’s continue to refine our skills, build confidence, and present with impact! 🚀 #InnovationCity #Masterclass #PublicSpeaking #Confidence

Here's our first hand account of leadership in action! Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd Chairman of the Board, Mteto Nyati, recently shared his incredible journey of steering Eskom through one of its most challenging periods at Innovation City's 'Business Ink Tank' event. His bold leadership decisions and people-centric approach have not only reshaped South Africa's energy landscape but also significantly boosted investor confidence in the country as a whole. Curious to learn more about how Nyati turned the tide? Dive into the story behind his remarkable strategy for recovery. ⚡ Article by Sandra Buckingham #Leadership #InnovationCity #Eskom #BusinessSuccess #MtetoNyati #LeadershipInAction #BusinessTransformation