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Participants and winners of the Innovate Durban Pitching Den
PITCHING DEN SHOWCASES INNOVATIVE

STARTUPS IN KZN

he 2023 Innovate Durban targets learners in grades 4 of water by monitoring and region. Through extensive pitch Albert, chief executive officer at
Pitching Den took place to 12 and encourages their controlling the water supply, with training and coaching sessions, Innovate Durban.
Ton March 28th at the involvement in science, a feature that can detect leaks. innovators are equipped with the The Innovate Durban Pitching
Innovation CoLab in Durban, technology, engineering, These cash prizes are awarded critical skills needed to effectively
and brought together some of and mathematics (STEM) as part of the Pitching Den pitch their business ideas to Den is just one of the various
the most innovative startups related fields and activities. initiative, which is one of various potential investors. programmes hosted by Innovate
Durban aimed at supporting
from the KwaZulu-Natal region. She presented a versatile programmes aimed at supporting “Our ultimate goal is to bridge and showcasing innovation in
As one of the premier events for problem-solving electrical kit and showcasing innovation in the
innovators and entrepreneurs, it that enables learners to solve KwaZulu-Natal region. the gap between promising the region.
was an opportunity for funders complex problems. Innovate Durban is an start-ups and investors, while With more events and
also showcasing the exceptional
and venture capitalists to discover Second place, with a prize of organisation dedicated to talent and innovation present in programmes like this, the
new talent and invest in the future KwaZulu-Natal region is sure
of South African innovation. R35 000, went to Farai Dziike and highlighting and supporting the region,” said Sithabile Cele, to produce more innovative
Nelisa Mabaso from Bio Mhlaba innovators and innovative start- marketing and events manager ideas and businesses that will
Over 80 applicants were Brick Company. Their innovation ups in the KwaZulu-Natal region. for Innovate Durban.
narrowed down to just 15 addresses the growing problem of The Pitching Den is just one of The panel of judges for the transform the local economy. 
participants, who underwent waste recycling, by creating bricks many initiatives aimed at creating Innovate Durban Pitching
rigorous pitch training and from different types of waste a platform and networking Den included Ramsay Daly, For more information contact: Sithabile
coaching sessions ahead of materials, particularly plastics, in opportunities for innovators, Cele, Marketing & Events Manager –
Innovate Durban
the event. a sustainable and useful way. while linking them with venture Co-CEO of Ikhokha, Justice T: +27 (0)87 365 3131
Matarutse, programme manager
capitalists and angel investors. E: sithabile@innovate.durban
The winners were announced In third place, Francis Djumo of Innovation at eThekwini W: www.innovate.durban
at the end of an intense from Royaume: Smart Inflow The Pitching Den initiative Municipality, Christopher du
morning of pitching, with Meter secured a prize of R25 000 provides a unique opportunity Plessis, digital lead Southern
Senele Goba of 4IR Innovations with their innovation involving a for venture capitalists and other Africa at Royal HaskoningDHV,
emerging as the first-place smart meter. The system can save funders to discover innovative Udi Pillay, partner at Adams &
winner. Goba’s innovation households up to R600 worth start-ups in the KwaZulu-Natal Adams Attorneys, and Aurelia

Pitching Winner, Sanele Goba showcasing her STEM electrical kit. Pitching Den participant, Viroshen Chetty showcasing his Innovate Durban Pitcing Den winner Senele Goba of 4IR
innovative Tech Ed game application Innovations collecting her R50 000 cash prize

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