Stellenbosch Network calls for innovative business models

Photo by Vojtech Okenka© from Pexels

Hanli Brink, operations manager at Stellenbosch Network, says: “Since the start of the national lockdown on the 27 March, millions of South Africans have been forced to work remotely in order to keep themselves safe from contracting and spreading the coronavirus. Despite the easing of restrictions, the president has urged those who can, to still do so. However, for many, this new way of working is a challenge due to a variety of issues around accessibility ranging from data, technology and sanitation, to funding, personal protective equipment and transport. We’re looking for a business model, a process flow, or any sort of idea that would be relevant to the greater Stellenbosch area.”

Everyone who enters will get the opportunity to attend a master class to explore how to bring their idea to life. The top three ideas will be entered into a poll on social media and their originators will vie for the chance to win the R20,000 cash prize.

Brink shares that the aim of the #IdeasForChange Challenge is to stimulate Stellenbosch’s entrepreneurship and innovation culture to get people thinking about solutions that have the potential to become actual products.

“It’s about local people solving local problems. As an organisation that brings people together from business, government, society and academia, we can take the winning idea and use our connections to help it materialise and benefit those who might need it.”

The challenge is open to anyone from Stellenbosch and surrounds aged 18 years and older. Entries close 21 September 2020. Submit your idea via https://bit.ly/SBOSIDEAS2020.