Internet-of-things (IoT) network operator SqwidNet, part of Dark Fibre Africa, has launched an entrepreneurship programme, called (IoT)E to “empower entrepreneurs who would like to develop their skills and knowledge to become established players in the IoT ecosystem”.

With the (IoT)E programme, SqwidNet wants to ensure that skills to operate in this industry are imparted to all who are interested.

“Over the years we have seen that our continent’s engineers and entrepreneurs have great ideas, but most often lack the means and sometimes even the tools to convert these ideas into viable businesses,” said SqwidNet CEO Reshaad Sha. The programme is designed to provide the necessary tools and guidance to enable people to take IoT products to market, he said.

The (IoT)E programme will focus on three key areas during a three-day workshop: device development, software and analytics, and business skills.

The workshop will be followed by a weekly webinar over a period of six weeks where participants can interact with and learn from experts in device development, platform development and entrepreneurship.

Twenty-five people will be selected in a first round of participants, with this round to kick off in January 2018.

SqwidNet, with its channel and ecosystem partners, will make available a funding pool that can be accessed by the participants to allow entrepreneurs to go “from prototype to production”.