Silicon Durbs aims to become next tech hub

CAPE TOWN and Gauteng may be leading the pack as tech hubs in the country but not be for long, as Mornigside based organisation Silicon Durbs, aims to transform the culture of technology innovation in the city. According to the founder and CEO of the organisation, Lindani Mkhize, the problems that need to be addressed relative to start-ups in Durban include a lack of collaboration with each other and industry, the lack of knowledge of social, economic and industry trends and limited and/or no access to investors.

ALSO READ: Tech Thursday: Four WhatsApp updates you may not know about

“Global trends show that most cities are investing more in innovation and technology because that is the now and future of this world. In an area such as Artificial Intelligence which will transform how we live, work and play, South Africa is in infancy stages as is the rest of Africa and Durban is nowhere to be found. Our purpose at Silicon Durbs is to transform the culture of technology innovation in Durban into a tech start-up culture that is contagious. We believe that this is one way of contributing to and improving our economy,” said Mkhize.

Silicon Durbs services are free programs which are structured to take people from an idea to scale, introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Science) to schools and communities, and help teach the skills that are critical to the future that will lead to people solving problems by becoming creators and not just consumers. It has also made strategic partnerships with organizations like Innovate Durban,UKZN Enactus, Black IT Forum and engaged with Durban based corporates and other strategic partnerships.

ALSO READ: Student lauded for winning design innovation

“Our membership is free for now. We have been in operation since May last year and host once a month tech events. These events are aimed at connecting entrepreneurs, investors, academia’s or skilled people, those looking for co-founders, corporates and aspiring tech entrepreneurs to network, share knowledge and collaborate with each other in creating new innovative technology-driven solutions that will transform to startups,” he said.

“We also host a once in two months program at Innovate Durban with the aim of working on ideas and turning them into startups. This programme is more geared at developing ideas to businesses and shaping business models and helping founders find co-founders and team members,” concluded Mkhize.