The top 10 of the 2016 #Hack.Jozi Challenge, a project of the City of Johannesburg and the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering at Wits University, has been announced.
The ideas submitted by budding entrepreneurs include ways for parents to reduce screen time for their children, a free pick-up and drop-off laundry service and an online platform to upload or download building plans for quicker approval by local authorities.
A demo day will be held on 13 May, where all 10 ideas will be presented. One aspiring business will win R1m, while two runners-up will each receive R350 000. All three will be supported by a business mentor, who will guide them on how best to use the prize money and further develop their idea into a successful and profitable enterprise.
The top three winners will be announced on 19 May 2016.
The City of Johannesburg has committed R5m for 2016’s #Hack.Jozi Challenge. The city will not take any equity in any of the businesses.
Potential technology entrepreneurs were called on to develop technology solutions to everyday problems in Johannesburg.
The top 100 entrants attended a special entrepreneurship and business training boot camp geared to helping them develop their great digital ideas into possible business opportunities. The top 20 selected received additional business mentorship.
The top 10 will receive a one-year membership of the ICT Hub in Braamfontein, which is a Wits University initiative under the leadership of Barry Dwolatzky.
The top 10 businesses selected in the 2016 #HackJozi Challenge are:
Tuta-Me: A mobile application that looks to connect tutors with students for tutoring services.
TimeWize Parental Control: A tool for parents to address screen-time issues with their children and their Android devices.
Mensch: An online marketplace where the demand for sound, pragmatic and sustainable advice by businesses is matched to the supply of high quality business experts from South Africa’s top business schools and business consultancies.
LCERT: LCERT (Low Cost Educational Robotics Toy) Kit, which includes hardware, software and activities.
Spotless: A pick-up and drop-off of laundry service that ensures that clothes are cleaned and dry-cleaned to the highest standards.
Advicement: Building an online platform which aims to automate the functions of a traditional financial advisor.
DUEPROP: An integrated online due-diligence portal, available on multiple platforms and designed for all property sector stakeholders.
eSubmit: An online platform on which building plans and other related documentation can be uploaded and/or downloaded for the purposes of obtaining building approval from local authorities.
Gradrr: This system prepares and automatically marks multiple choice questions. Advanced features are being offered to educational institutions to analyse and report on the information.
TechnoVera: Smart lockers that reduce the average waiting time for patients collecting chronic medication at primary healthcare collection facilities. — © 2016 NewsCentral Media