Author: Staff Writer
Xero, the global small business platform, has opened applications for its inaugural Xero Beautiful Business Fund, designed to celebrate small businesses and accelerate their growth. The initiative is now open for submissions with more than R8,000,000 in funding available globally. Four South African Xero small business customers will each win R250,000, with an additional R545,000 available in each category should a South African winner receive a global prize. The Xero Beautiful Business Fund is open to Xero small business customers in South Africa, Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the US and will recognise companies who…
Cape Town-headquartered venture capital (VC) firm HAVAÍC has announced a further investment in RapidDeploy following its participation in a bridge round in October last year. The VC firm has bolstered its stake with a second investment as part of RapidDeploy’s Series C equity round. Founded in 2016, RapidDeploy is the leading cloud-native platform for public safety, delivering next-generation solutions and intelligent mission-critical data to 911 agencies across the United States. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Cape Town-born business is helping to reduce response times, enhance situational awareness, and drive better outcomes. RapidDeploy also empowers public safety leaders with data insights…
Google today unveiled the “Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First”, an initiative aimed at supporting African startups looking to use artificial intelligence to solve local challenges. This program recognises the transformative role that AI is playing across the world, innovating industries and reimagining the realms of possibilities. It also highlights the significant contributions of African startups in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges through the use of AI. The ‘AI First’ program is aimed at supporting startups keen on delving into AI’s possibilities. It draws learnings from past initiatives such as the Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa, The…
In an increasingly interconnected world, cybersecurity is paramount. One emerging threat is cyber extortion – a form of online blackmail wherein cybercriminals exploit digital resources for monetary gain. Cyber extortion involves unauthorised access to sensitive data or computing services, followed by threats of disclosure or disruption unless a ransom is paid. This crime can severely disrupt businesses and individuals alike, leading to substantial financial and reputational damage. “Cyber extortionists come with many faces but the same harmful intent,” warns Nolwazi Nzama, Deputy Chief Risk Officer at African Bank. “Whether it’s through ransomware, DDoS threats, sextortion, or data breach threats, the…
On a mission to #DareToStandOut, Huawei has launched the innovative Huawei nova 11 Series, a bold and stylish line made with portrait photography in mind. Catering to the fashion forward and trendsetters, the series offers a smarter, more convenient user experience, making a significant splash in the nova Star universe. Building on the Huawei nova brand’s legacy, the Huawei nova 11 Pro introduces XD Portrait and an upgraded Huawei Multi-Vision Photography, capturing extraordinary portraits. The Super Star Orbit Ring design flawlessly incorporates aesthetics into the lenses. The ultra-durable Kunlun Glass ensures ultimate reliability, while combined with SuperCharge Turbo, the phone…
Which used cars have the highest demand in South Africa in 2023? Which is the most in demand brand? And how many car searches happen every second? The 2023 AutoTrader Mid-Year Car Industry Report reveals the answers to these questions. This report – which covers the first six months of 2023 – delves into used car sales data, providing several interesting local in-market car shopping insights. Toyota is the leading brand in the local used car market in 2023, selling an impressive 28,061 passenger cars and achieving a 17% share of the used car market.Theaverage price of the sold Toyota…
Banking as a Service (BaaS) and embedded finance enabler Ukheshe has partnered with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) to provide an innovative BaaS platform in East Africa. BaaS, the provision of banking products and services through third-party distributors, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of a whopping 25% in some markets, and this new partnership will see both parties get ahead of this rapid growth curve. Mark Dankworth, President of Business Development at Ukheshe Africa, says Ukheshe is thrilled to partner with DTB as a progressive bank that shares Ukheshe’s vision for BaaS. “Ukheshe had been looking…
Today, Amazon Web Services (AWS) opened its first international AWS Skills Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, continuing on a mission to remove the barriers of access to cloud skills training. AWS Skills Centres are Amazon’s dedicated, in-person cloud learning spaces designed for anyone who is curious about cloud computing, career possibilities in the industry. Anyone in the local community—regardless of background, education level, or social status— can explore how cloud computing technology is powering everything from weather predictions to smart homes. Members of Parliament joined AWS executives in highlighting the value of cloud skills training to prepare South Africa’s…
Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced it has received ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification in South Africa. The ISO/IEC 27001 standard provides companies with guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving information security management systems. The standard is published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The certification confirms that Sage South Africa has put in place further systems to manage risks related to data security and that the system respects the rigorous best practices enshrined…
South African women are emerging as trailblazers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They are breaking new ground and helping to inspire the next generation of female scientists, technologists, and leaders. TCL celebrates some of the country’s top female STEM professionals and founders for Women’s Month. Sarah Collins Sarah Collins developed the Wonderbag in 2008 as a solution to the South African energy shortage forcing blackouts across the country. The Wonderbag is a non-electric slow cooker that uses heat-retention technology to continue cooking once a pan has been removed from the heat source.…