ENTREPRENEUR’S INSIGHTS
NEXT STEPS
WORKING WITH mLab SOUTHERN AFRICA
Attract investors • MAKE A PLAN AND FOCUS: Don’t try to do everything at once. You lose a lot of energy and you don’t make any progress in your work. • PLACE REALISTIC DEADLINES: Plan realistic dates and the resources you need. • UNDERSTAND THE BUSINESS AND ITS ENVIRONMENT: learn about structuring ideas, how startups work, how the industry works, and how to pitch ideas.
Extend the network across South Africa Create sub-communities by specialization Make a cross-platform app Expand to other IT fields
• THE mLab PROVIDED GEEKULCHA WITH VALUABLE SUPPORT, from a simple laptop, office space, and access to the Internet to banner and business card design. • THE mLab PROVIDED THE STARTUP WITH LOGO AND BRANDING EXPERTISE and gave the company access to a wide array of contacts in the IT and mobile community, which has given Geekulcha the possibility of contacting and learning from peers. • THE mLab PROVIDED A MAJOR CREDIBILITY GAIN because “when you mention mLab, people have trust in you.”
KEY OUTCOMES VALUE FOR USERS Putting skills to work: Geekulcha is helping young IT and mobile developers to find jobs in the industry. As of October 2013, 32 students had found a job within the industry through the platform. Complementing Education: Students gain exposure in the environment through events and networks: “It is not just about studying, passing, then hoping to get a job. You need to constantly polish your skills.” An opportunity to shine: It provides students and young developers with a platform to showcase their work. Learning about success: Through a large network of developers, young developers establish peer-mentoring relationships and workshops with industry leaders. Users reached: Since the website was launched in October 2013, 2,630 people have been reached through Facebook and 1,055 through Twitter. Geekulcha’s YouTube videos were viewed 1,894 times.
Supported by:
www.infodev.org
twitter: @infoDev