MyWorld of Tomorrow announces 2015 South African Innovation Awards finalists

Issued by McD Squared for Business Connexion
Johannesburg, 30 Sep 2015

MyWorld of Tomorrow, in partnership with Business Connexion and Business Day, is excited to announce the finalists for the SA Innovation Awards - an awards programme aimed at recognising and celebrating innovative companies and individuals.

Matthew Blewett, chief investment officer at Business Connexion, says: "South Africa and Africa, as a continent, have a real opportunity to become leaders in innovation. Innovation is driven by a need and we have some very specific needs on the African continent, such as access to basic health, education, security and agriculture. On the other hand, you have technology - another key driver of innovation. So, it's time for us to embrace these needs, embrace the technology and lead, as we have in the past, in creating innovative solutions to our unique problems. These awards aim to showcase the innovation that is already happening and inspire others to continue on this path."

"There are some very interesting innovative concepts and products we can look forward to seeing at the Awards this year. There is a diverse variety of ICT-related innovations, which is to be expected, and they range from health-related innovations to solutions-orientated products," says Dr Sibongile Gumbi, one of this year's SA Innovation Awards judges and group executive of biotechnology at the Technology Innovation Agency.

"Something that has really been a pleasure to see while adjudicating the entries is that most entities are sourcing materials locally and developing the entire material sourced in SA and exporting that overseas, highlighting an African ability to contribute to the socio-economic solutions at a global competitiveness."

Songezo Zibi, editor of Business Day and SA Innovations Awards judge, says: "As one of the leading media houses in the country, we have covered a myriad of stories about innovation in the many sectors of the economy and society, and Business Day is the perfect platform to give further exposure to South Africa's unfolding innovation legacy."

The finalists, as adjudicated by a panel of judges and audited by Mazars (in alphabetical order), are:

Collaborative Innovation

* Barclays Africa Group - Rise (a global community for open innovation)
* Edit Microsystems - eBraille Project
* Eternity Power - Eternity Power Thermal Harvesting
* Mabu Casing Soils - Pith Button Mushroom Casing Soil

Community Innovation

* Barclays Africa Group - Rise (a global community for open innovation)
* Greenside Design Centre College of Design - 10Percent Community Engagement Initiative
* hearScreen - hearScreen Smartphone Hearing Solution
* Project Isizwe - Tshwane Free WiFi Project

Corporate Innovation

* Alexander Forbes - LifeGauge
* Aurecon - Innovative Intelligent 3D Design Software at Sidwawa Substation
* King Price Insurance Company - Unique Pricing Model
* Resolve Capacity (Imperial Logistics) - Clinic-in-a-box

Hall of Fame

* AngelShack - Top Task Chair
* Edit Microsystems - eBraille Project
* Eternity Power - Eternity Power Thermal Harvesting
* Dr Ashraf Grimwood - Kheth'Impilo

SMME Innovation

* AngelShack - Top Task Chair
* Enviro Options - Enviro Loo
* Eternity Power - Eternity Power Thermal Harvesting
* Infotech Business Solutions - Infotech Mobile Workforce
* Jikejozi Tuk Tuk Services - The Tuk Tuk Outdoor Mavericks

SMME Innovator

* AHRLAC - Paramount Group
* Jacques Malan - Eternity Power
* Jaen-Jacques Nell - Letidcode
* Vernon Harding - H1 Holdings

The winners will be announced at the awards presentation on 21 October 2015, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

The MWOT conference and expo will run from 22-24 October at the Sandton Convention Centre, where it is expected to attract over 30 speakers, 50 exhibitors and 5 000 attendees. Tickets are available at: www.mwotafrica.com.

MyWorld of Tomorrow

MyWorld of Tomorrow is an African-led movement inspired by technological innovation and bringing thought leaders, communities and experiences together under one roof, creating discussion and solutions for the Internet of things (IOT) and its meaning for Africa. Far more than just a conference and exhibition, MyWorld of Tomorrow is a platform for interaction and knowledge sharing in the technology and innovation space across industries.

MyWorld of Tomorrow is where technology and humanity intersect to bring us the solutions of the future. By bringing thought leaders from a diverse array of industries together, Business Connexion, through MyWorld of Tomorrow, creates an exciting space that inspires people to unlock, explore, share and create ideas that can positively contribute to our future through technological innovation.

For more information, please visit www.mwotafrica.com.

Business Connexion

Business Connexion is one of the largest ICT services providers listed on the JSE when measured in terms of turnover, assets under management and staff complement. It remains one of the leading South African cloud-based services providers with offices in South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana, the United Kingdom and Dubai. The company employs more than 6 800 people on the African continent and generates revenue in excess of R6 billion a year.

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