In line with the company’s vision to provide access to and grow the Sigfox ecosystem in South Africa, SqwidNet launched its entrepreneurship programme in 2017. (IoT)^E – IoT to the power of E – is aimed at empowering entrepreneurs who would like to develop their skills and knowledge to become established players in the IoT ecosystem nationally and internationally.

According to the Worldwide and Regional Internet of Things 2010-2014 Forecast by IDC, the IoT market opportunity for the Middle East and Africa region is poised to grow by 10% CAGR, from $85.1 billion in 2017 to $114.4 billion by 2020. These statistics highlight the massive untapped potential for IoT in the region, including Africa; and with the (IoT)^E programme, SqwidNet will ensure the necessary skills and knowledge to operate in this industry are imparted to all who are interested.

The programme is aimed at entrepreneurs and ICT companies with an annual turnover of R3-million. Applications can be submitted online and a group of 60 entrepreneurs will be selected to go through the 12-month programme.

Entrepreneur: If you are an entrepreneur with an engineering or ICT background with an idea, click here.

ICT Business Owner: If you are a business owner in the ICT industry with a turnover more than R3,000,000 complete the following survey to enter

Device Development – Participants are given development kits and taken through the process of building a device with sensors to solve real-world sensing and monitoring problems
Software and Analytics – Participants are introduced to IoT software platforms, giving them the opportunity to create basic dashboards to analyse the high-level data being collected in the device they developed
Business Skills – Participants are provided with a fully funded 8 month product and service development program
Access to market – Participant are given the opportunity build solutions targeting corporate customers i.e. T-Systems, Channel partners and more
Funding opportunities – The program include a pitch session targeting investment or supply chain access

SqwidNet drives innovation through IoT

The programme includes a 3-day workshop to teach participants more about IoT and Sigfox as a technology. They will have access to business and technology experts and mentors twice a month to ensure that they are equipped with the tools to bring their IoT ideas to life. This culminates in the opportunity for participants to pitch their ideas to a panel of potential investors.

(IoT)E Programme

SqwidNet drives innovation through IoT

For more information about the next (IoT)E programme, please contact iotep@sqwidnet.com.

(IoT)^E Programme

For more information about the next (IoT)^E programme, please contact iotep@sqwidnet.com.