The South African Business Link to Experts (SABLE) Accelerator, a recently formed mentoring network of South African experts living in Silicon Valley and other technology hubs, recently revealed the new partners and portfolio company agreements during a visit to SA by two of its co-founders.
Unveiled in August, SABLE Accelerator aims to aid the country to become more competitive in realising a better return on innovation and entrepreneurship across both the private and public sectors.
The international partnership group is committed to helping South African entrepreneurs, new venture start-ups, academic institutions and companies commercialise technology innovations, promote and protect intellectual property, fund new business concepts, finance growth, as well as expand into global markets.
Organisations, funding sources and university technology transfer offices that have recently affiliated with SABLE in both SA and the US include: The South African Innovation Network (SAINe), Silicon Cape Initiative, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), African Entrepreneur Academy/No Picket Fence, South African Venture Capital Association (SAVCA), Convergence Partners, Impulsa XL, Corculture.com, Seed Engine, DalaWorks, Nomad Ventures, Battery Ventures, ICCG Capital, The Homecoming Revolution, University of Cape Town, InnovUS - Stellenbosch University, and TechNews.
"SABLE partners have spent the last three months reviewing and interacting with dozens of promising South African early-stage, emerging growth and middle-market ventures that might have potential in global markets," notes co-founder and managing partner, Werner Mansfeld. "We have also been determining where these enterprises can benefit from international coaching, consulting and funding support from trusted expatriate sources and subject matter experts around the world."
SABLE portfolio candidates range from solution providers in marketing automation, business analytics and customer experience solutions, to those in human resource management, enterprise collaboration and interactive entertainment. In addition, SABLE partners have evaluated innovators in the fields of medical technology, mobile applications, digital media, film animation, event virtualisation and renewable energy.
According to the company, the SABLE Accelerator has designed a new thought leadership programme, which it plans to implement with public and private sector partners. Dubbed "Know More to Grow More, Globally", the continuity campaign includes a knowledge portal; an audit of SME Global Market Mindset; a best-practice study of foreign market entry and expansion; ongoing mentoring and coaching; as well as educational workshops, Webinars and Webcasts.
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