Cape IT Initiative develops the local creative sector with Qualia Group

The Business Quest is an opportunity scouting programme developed by the Qualia Group, an organisation that focuses on developing international business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Both the Qualia Group and this business quest have the full support and endorsement of the Cape IT Initiative.

"South Africa is a high possibility environment for UK companies operating in the creative space. There are world class creative businesses in Cape Town with many already on the international stage. At the same time you can also feel a real vibrancy and see bags of creative talent emerging in the SME sector," says Richard Holt, managing director of the Qualia Group. "I think our UK companies will be blown away by what they see over the next week and Design Indaba provides an unique opportunity for them to connect with speak to the cream of South Africa's best and emerging creative businesses. By bringing together companies from Britain and South Africa and initiating discussion, we are confident that new innovative opportunities will be discovered and explored."

The Cape IT Initiative has operated as the local landing point for the quest by facilitating the introduction of the Qualia Group to a number of highly innovative and creative companies with whom the 10 UK businesses can meet. From these initial introductions, over 20 local companies are scheduled to hold individual meetings with the visiting businesses.

"The selection process was robust as we are aiming for a very high rate of success from this trip," says Holt. "After six months we expect at least 50% of the UK companies to be doing some sort of work with the South African businesses. This goal leaves very little room for error! The other objective is to create inspiring environments for all companies involved and to facilitate new learning, un-learning and re-learning. All the businesses that are involved in this quest should learn something from the experience and go away with new ways to innovate and creatively improve their bottom line."

Masedi Molosiwa, executive director of the Cape IT Initiative says, "It is wonderful to be working with the Qualia Group to drive and create international business relationships. By supporting and facilitating this, and other business quests, we will further develop Cape Town as an international source of creativity, productivity and innovation."

The Cape IT Initiative (CITI) is a not-for-profit organization focused on developing the ICT cluster in the Western Cape. It focuses on four core areas: Cluster development (events, networking & cluster facilitation), IT Business Development (incubation and entrepreneurial support), IT skills development, and IT research & policy. CITI's goal is to promote Cape Town as a global IT hub and gateway into Africa, thereby facilitating the creation of jobs and prosperity through IT. CITI has assisted local business development through entrepreneurial support programmes and continues to play an important role in enabling ICT in the region, creating necessary linkages both nationally and internationally. CITI Contact: Sarina Scheepers, Tel: +27 +21 409-7000,
email: .