ABOUT US
Message from the CEO
Mark Harris
Chief Executive Officer
Tshimologong has been abuzz with excitement over the past six months. In collaboration with Wits University, other academic institutions, and the Innovation Hub ecosystem, we have established world-class programmes to empower youth across Africa, fostering new companies and essential skills to mitigate unemployment and drive economic growth. Our mission to lead social change and entrepreneurship through cutting-edge research, technology, innovation, and owned intellectual property has been the driving force behind these initiatives.
Strategic partnerships with private sector entities, bilateral agencies, government bodies, and universities have significantly impacted engaging youth and aspiring startups, facilitating the creation of new businesses. Tshimologong has implemented various programmes to uplift impoverished communities, integrating them into sectors like technology, agriculture, bio-sciences, manufacturing, artisanal crafts, and professional services, thereby creating meaningful employment opportunities.
To support the startup and SMME ecosystem, Tshimologong offers academic-level support for innovation, entrepreneurship, incubation, ideation, digital business development, digital marketing, concept refinement, MVP development, and the use of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, DevOps, maker spaces, robotics, and automation.
Tshimologong is proud of its efforts to cultivate new businesses within the creative industries, including animation, gaming, VR/AR/XR, and makerspaces. These achievements are made possible by invaluable partnerships with the French, German, Irish, and British embassies, along with the steadfast support from Wits University and various government departments and agencies, whose investments have significantly bolstered our impact in these sectors.
Tshimologong has organised numerous innovation challenges, leveraging our partnerships to propel startups and SMMEs into global markets, enabling them to showcase their innovations, engage with international counterparts, and access advanced training from leading global organizations, thereby expanding their capabilities and best practices.
Currently, our focus is on collaborating with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), banks, private equity (PE), venture capital (VC), and other investors to secure funding for development and commercialization activities.
Tshimologong History
How everything began: A digital revolution
Prof. Barry Dwolatzky
Founder of Tshimologong
Founded by Prof. Barry Dwolatzky, Tshimologong is wholly owned by Wits University, is a Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBB-EE) contributor and an accredited service provider with the Media Information and Communications Technologies Sector (MICT SETA).
Setswana for “new beginnings”, Tshimologong catalyses the transformation of Braamfontein into a premier technology destination to raise the profile of African digital innovation by inspiring new talent and addressing rising youth unemployment. As a university-based incubator, Tshimologong Precinct further aims to commercialise research of Wits University students.
In 2017 we launched our flagship incubation and acceleration programme with the support of JP Morgan Chase bank and have since incubated 105 startups and 172 entrepreneurs. Our facilities offer digital startups and students a fully-fledged coworking space equipped with uncapped internet, meeting rooms, a coffee shop, and ample opportunities for networking and learning through our community events and training initiatives.
VISION
Our vision is that Tshimologong will become a catalyst for the development of world-leading African digital entrepreneurs. We hope to cement this vision through our approach to digital innovation which sees digital innovation as the intersection between hardware, software and content.
VALUE PROPOSITION
- Learn through a range of events and skills academies – animation, software, testing, networking, app development.
- Test and validate your idea, tech and business model.
- Develop prototypes and your minimal viable product through the MakerSpace and innovation challenges.
- Meet like-minded peers, strategic partners and prospective customers.
- Access markets through the precinct’s commercial Studio’s Collective.
VALUES
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We develop skilled youth and Digital Entrepreneurs that Excel in Global Markets
Our Ecosystem in action
The key pillars of Tshimologong’s ecosystem in achieving its vision are Digital Skills Academy with a range of programming to grow the talent for digital ventures to thrive, the Enterprise Development model that accelerates the growth of digital ventures at every stage of their business, ensuring desirable and feasible technology, as well as viable business models with sound operations. Furthermore, the Digital Marketplace provides platforms of access to market for digital startups and interns.
Our Networks
