BIZ Discussions (innobiz DUT Hackathon 2022)

Hackathon

Introductory note

It gives me great pleasure that we present this issue in partnership with Biz Discussions. Since the beginning of the year, the Centre focused greatly on the successful hosting of the inaugural hackathon; and ensuring that our students participate in our incubation programme.

The favourable outcome of the first hackathon lead to the execution of two more, all of which you will read about in this issue. Of course, I must give credit to the leadership of Prof Motaung and the incredible teamresponsibleforthisaccomplishment

This achievement not only demonstrate and further highlights the need for the work that we do, but also gives recognition to the alignment of the Centre with theDUT’sENVISION2030strategicgoal.

As we continue to equip our student entrepreneurs with even more skills and knowledge to be successful in the entrepreneurial world and to ensure that they build sustainable businesses, we hope that you are inspired by this act.

Remember, whether you think you can or you can’t you are right

Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo Yours in entrepreneurship

Manager: innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

innobiz DUT hosts its first hackathon for the 2022 business incubation programme

The innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation hosted its first three day from the 21st to the 23rd of April 2022. The programme was a collection of workshops, mentorship and industry specific training from industry experts that had been sourced for the entrepreneurs.

The hackathon was specifically curated for the thorough induction of participating entrepreneurs in order to assist with their innovative and high impact business ideas.

innobiz DUT Manager Miss Nontokozo Ngcobo explained the centre’s core offering, the service flow and what the hackathon will entail Additionally, she encouraged students to take advantage of this opportunity and use it to propel their businesses to success

The event was opened by Professor Motaung who welcomed students and congratulated them for making it to the final selection, “you have been selected out of 400 students as the best and with the most innovative ideas, you are special, make this opportunity count” they said.

Ngcobo credited the innobiz DUT team for their dedication in preparing for the hackathon and further shared words of encouragement to all of the students, “take this opportunity seriously, the Centre is responsible for many successful small businesses that were initiated, groomed, and accelerated by the Centre.

These students started with just an idea and through expert training, and industry specific workshops the Centre has built them into successful entrepreneurs” said Nontokozo. Ngcobo also added that the Centre does not only provide business support but also industry linkages and access to the market.

The hackathon was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (DVC: RIE) Professor Sibusiso Moyo; Technology, Transfer and Innovation (TTI) Director Professor Keolebogile Motaung and DUT procurement, Director Ms Nonhlanhla Gumbi.

OnthebehalfoftheDUT

Gumbi commended th participate in this im alternative streams of saying “It’s so interestin entrepreneurship, creati andcontributingtothec

Day 2 of the hackatho Professor Sibusiso Moyo on the importance of entrepreneurship and its contribution to the economy and sustainable development goals.

You could have done a lot of other things with your time, but you decided to be here, and I can assure you that you will not regret it" she added.Moreover, she d t d t t thi k l b ll d t l k

long standing issues in society or bringing about convenience She also spoke on the importance of protecting those ideas and sharing them with only selected and qualified business advisors

The guest speaker Dr Hajira Mashego who is the founder of Fitness Junction Gym gave a talk titled “ ” which highlighted the need to always be at the forefront of opportunities and to capitalize on chances to make money She further advised entrepreneurs to find niche areas, look for gaps in the industry and offer a unique value proposition that makes them distinct from the community they operate in

“There are many gyms in South Africa, but my niche was specifically offering this service in townships areas where most high profiles gyms are reluctant to go due to crime and other social issues, not only that but also offering an affordable service that our target can afford and that is what differentiates us from the rest” she shared.

Mashego encouraged entrepreneurs to find time to let loose and have fun, especially because entrepreneurship is very demanding and stressful

Ms Diva Mobedi, the founder of Fashion by Leelah and alumni of the Centre shared a testimonial of her experience as an incubatee and how it helped propel her business to success. She encouraged students to be resilient and dedicated to being each other’s support system.

“The Centre is here to help turn your ideas into a reality, but you must work hard and help each other along the way. It’s not going to be easy, please be determined, don’t stop believing and don’t let failure stop you because we need you, the world needs entrepreneurs” she shared

The student representative also formed part of hackathon speakers to help inspire and motivate entrepreneurship at DUT. Zama Mncube the newly appointed DUT convocation president commended the Centre for the highly impactful programme and advised stude much

want to appreciate the efforts of the Centre in inspiring entrepreneurship, and we also want to encourage students to capitalize on this opportunity as very few universities offer this service to their students.” This was concurred by the current SRC president Sibusiso Gumede who also Some of tra agricu proto to pr delibe 2022

Participants valued the time spent at the hackathon and are excited on proceeding to the next phases.

innobiz DUT hosts se d hackathon for DUT student entrepreneurs

The

student entrepreneurs

energy and excitement. A joyous occasion filled with laughter, singing

one began with physical exercise as a warm up and ice

The innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation hosted its second 3 day hackathon from the 6th to the 8th of May 2022. This session was for the remainder of the shortlisted student entrepreneurs from all Durban University of Technology campuses.

The programme directed by innobiz business advisor Ms Thabile Ndaba commenced with welcome remarks from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Technology, Transfer and Innovation (TTI) Director Professor Keolebogile Motaung

In her speech she aligned the programme with the DUT strategy map, emphasizing its contribution to creating innovative, entrepreneurial, and adaptive graduates. She further highlighted the importance of innovative entrepreneurship in the country, and its contribution to sustainable development goals such as economic growth, zero hunger and zero poverty.

“The innobiz DUT (office) is here to help you build businesses that are innovative and sustainable, businesses that are not only for profit but also address socio economic issues within the country and the region. As per the DUT values, our people will be creative, innovative and entrepreneurial” said Prof Motaung.

innobiz DUT Centre Manager Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo welcomed students to the programme and explained the business of the day; she outlined the service flow of the innobiz DUT and the purpose of the hackathon programme. Ngcobo further encouraged students to utilise this opportunity, the mentors made available to them and the business support team to assist them in polishing their ideas.

Mr Sikho Msomi, innobiz DUT Systems and Processes Officer also delivered a brief workshop on digital platforms that are crucial for every entrepreneur to have and other tools that bring about convenience for all small businesses.

They are responsible for assisting the students as mentors, coaches and advisors. They are as follows: The judges include a variety of brilliant entrepreneurs and people of influence.

Melvin Musehai Innovation Coordinator Mlab

Ms Zoh P Mashabane Corporate Business Coach (RZD Coaching and Training company)

Nokuthula "Nokky" Ndlovu Mentor and Coach (Limit Breakers Global Foundation)

Hlubi Dlomo Mentor Biz Accumen Consulting

Xolani Zondi Director X Axis Experience Group

Ms Lumka Sibanyoni Managing Member Cayman LB Consulting

Dr Hajira Mashego Founder Fitness Junction

Kaslin Govender Founder and CEO Revolutionary Marketing Media and ICT Solutions

Mbuso Ngcobo Consultant Biz Acumen

Simphiwe Duma Managing Partner Admond Capital limited

Simba Maruta Founder of Emerging Farmers Support

Day 2 included testimonials from DUT alumni and post incubation students who shared their entrepreneurial journey with the students for motivation and encouragement.

Ms Ntobeko Mafu, is founder of Madame clucks a lot and DUT alumni shared her experience as a product of the Centre, explaining why she decided to embark on her entrepreneurial journey, and why other people should consider it; “My ‘why’ is the wish to break the poverty chain in my family and to be able to take care of my son, that is why I have been consistent.”

The 3 day programme also included workshops such as design thinking, Lean Canvas Model, prototype building, idea generation, and financial literacy amongst other critical entrepreneurial workshops for student entrepreneurs.

Students worked tirelessly throughout the night putting together their business idea presentations that were submitted to a panel of judges for careful deliberation Successful students will be shortlisted for the 2022 incubation programme.

If you do not have a clear ‘why’ you will get lost along the way, the only way to make it through is to be motivated and determined.” Said Mafu. Mafu encouraged students to interact and network with each other, build sustainable relationships, and sell their business to the right people

innobiz hosts 3rd hackathon for students interested in entrepreneurship

The innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation hosted its third hackathon on Friday the 3rd of June; the hackathon was attended by over 50 student entrepreneurs from all DUT campuses.

While maintaining the same aim as the previous two hackathons, the third hackathon was a one day programme facilitated by the Centre business support team.

The students were trained on various business skills that included idea generation, where students had to identify an existing business and propose a solution that can be turned into a profitable business.

It also included the lean canvas model, a tool that assists students in determining the feasibility of business ideas.

The programme commenced with an outline of the Centre’s incubation programme by Business support coordinator Thobani Thusi, who encouraged students to fully invest their time and effort in this programme to realize its impact.

The programme included pitch training, where students were taught how to sell their businesses to potential sponsors. Selected students will be admitted into the business incubation programme that will assist provide students with services such as industry specific training, mentorship, market access, linkages with industry connections, compliance, and seed funding.

Centre Manager Nontokozo Ngcobo also addressed students where she commended students for considering entrepreneurship and attending the programme to assist them with their business ideas Ngcobo encouraged students to look beyond just the funding aspect of the programme but focus on the valuable information they will receive that will propel their businesses to success.

She advised, “The content you will receive from the business incubation programme is more valuable than any amount of money, if you dedicate yourself enough and be committed to completing this programme your business might not even need the funding to start, it will succeed on its own”

Entrepreneurs Personal Development and Leadership Workshop

The innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation held a 2 day Personal Development and Leadership Workshop at Mitchell’s Park, Durban This workshop was the first innobiz DUT boot camp held for the entrepreneurs who participated in the first and second Hackathon and have become part of the innobiz programme.

The purpose of this session was to challenge the entrepreneur’s perception of the business field and to bring them to understand the importance of their personal development in relation to their business development

Business Support coordinator Mr Xolani Mchunu opened the programme by welcoming the entrepreneurs to the bootcamp and encouraging them to utilise this opportunity to assess their goals, skills and enhance their personal growth

Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Sibusiso Moyo commended the Centre for incorporating this bootcamp as part of the incubation programme, stating that personal mastery is crucial in the development of well rounded entrepreneurs.

“Such activities ensure the development of entrepreneurs mentally, spiritually, emotionally and socially; resulting in the production of adaptive and creative graduates as per our ENVISION2030 vision statement.”

Moyo was supported by Business support advisor Mr Thobani Thusi who also added that this is an aspect of business usually neglected by most business support institutions “These sessions are intended to prepare our entrepreneurs psychologically for the business world. Often in business, we focus more on the business, and we neglect the person”.

The session closed off with a reflection session where entrepreneurs

how they are planning to implement these lessons in their businesses.

The innobiz DUT Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in partnership with the Agri Development Agency (ADA) hosted a five day Crop Production training The training was for incubated agricultural student entrepreneurs. This mid year strategic session aimed to equip incubatees on crop production.

The programme was filled with activities and learning opportunities. To offer words of encouragement, Mr Thobani Thusi (innobiz DUT business support unit) welcomed the attendees and offered these words: “These five days will surely not be a waste of your time; a lot will be learnt, and a lot will be shared amongst yourselves which will make this experience one of great value.

I will encourage each and every one of you not to take this lightly and make sure you learn as much as possible. We are looking forward to growing with you as we have many more activities and training opportunities planned With that said, it is very important to take all these activities seriously as they come with many opportunities”.

innobiz DUT hosts crop production Training for Incubated Agricultural Students

20 25 June 2022

The five day programme was facilitated by Miss Zinhle Ndlovu from the Agriculture Development Agency. This training aimed to equip student entrepreneurs with valuable skills and knowledge on crop production

The training covered topics such as climate and soil conditions, crop rotation and crop sequencing, the proper way of harvesting, different fertilizers and manures. It also covered the importance of knowing how to process, how to get into the market and which markets are open for farmers.

These skills are important for student entrepreneurs to understand and apply in their businesses

were then required to put together a presentation to reflect on what they have learned and how it will assist them within their businesses.

Students in attendance also engaged with each other on the content they were learning as well as shared some other entrepreneurial discussions. These

tips, tricks and difficulties faced within their businesses

Facilitator, Miss Ndlovu closed off the training by reflecting with the student entrepreneurs where she shared a few words of encouragement on their journeys.

The lesson was “always remember that laziness never works as you reap what you sow” and when pushing and growing their businesses to make sure they are fully hands on bosses and not dictators.

innobiz Midlands Campus Indumiso Campus: Block 7 Ground Floor, 13 FJ Sithole Road, Indumiso Campus, 3200 Riverside Campus: Block D, 19 Avertedly Road, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3200

Telephone: 033 845 9065

Email: Innobiz@dut ac za WhatsApp: 063 019 9805

innobiz Enactus 6th Floor, Block B 41, ML Sultan road, 4001, Berea Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Telephone: 031 373 5695 Email: enactus@dut.co.za

innobiz Durban Campus ML Sultan Campus: Block B 41 M L Sultan Rd, Greyville, Berea, 4001

Telephone: 031 373 2523 Email: Dbnentrepreneurs@dut ac za WhatsApp: 083 451 9970

innobiz Centre for Social Entrepreneurship ML Sultan Campus: Block C Ground Floor, 41 ML Sultan Road, 4001

Telephone: 031 373 6062 Email: InfoCSE@dut ac za WhatsApp: 067 083 1296

Social Media 063 019 980

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