ABOUT US
Message from the CEO
Lesley Donna Williams
Chief Executive Officer
Let us know how we can serve your digital innovation needs, welcome to our community!
Cities around the world are developing high-tech digital clusters that lead to the advancement of innovation, business and economic growth as well as job creation. Johannesburg is a connecting node to the world with the development of Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, strategically located in Braamfontein. We form the nexus point where the vibrancy of inner-city life converges with the creativity of youth, the scalability of big business, the academic rigour of Wits University and proximity to other educational institutions.
With the intention of creating world-leading African digital entrepreneurs, we actively identify emerging talent to create and grow digital ventures. We are also the place for the business community to develop your digital innovation capacity by investing in relevant enterprise and supplier development, along with creating your digital skills pipeline.
We are unwavering in our pursuit to normalise African excellence, solving local challenges and taking action on opportunities with digital solutions. This is made possible by the Pan-African focused programming, international partnerships and a supportive local government – City of Joburg and Gauteng Provincial Government.
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
