During the week of February 23-27, 2015, Socionext Africa collaborated with Resolution Circle and the City of Johannesburg to run a Green City Challenge program that provided intensive technical and business training to 20 local ventures selected out of 80 applicants. The program focused on helping the ventures scale their ideas, develop their businesses, and prepare to attract investment. Of the 20 participants, 8 will be chosen to compete for cash prizes totaling R1.25 million in the final round in August 2015. Socionext's training utilized the Lean Startup methodology to provide hands-on learning and help the entrepreneurs create prototypes, test assumptions with customers, and refine their products or services. Based on its success, Socionext has

1. During the week of 23rd–27th February 2015, SOCIONEXT AFRICA collaborated
with Resolution Circle and the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Economic
Development on its Green City Challenge to deliver an in-depth technical &
business incubation program. Out of 80 applicants, 20 ventures were chosen to
undergo a week of intensive practical training focused idea scalability,
business development and getting investment ready. Of the 20 enterprises, 8
will be chosen to enter the final round in August 2015, each of which will
receive a cash prize of R250,000 with the final winner walking away with a R
1million grand prize.
Socionext’s unique training program (built on the Lean Start-up methodology)
provided the entrepreneurs with an intense, hands-on learning experience
rooted in proven, validated and successful business models. This allowed the
entrepreneurs to create a clear prototype and Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
in less than a week, test their assumptions with real customers, and redesign
their product/service offering as necessary, thereby saving time, money and
resources, and shortening the development cycle. Based on the program’s
success, Socionext have been invited by Resolution Circle to offer the Lean
Start-up methodology program to several groups of entrepreneurs on a
monthly basis.
SOCIONEXT offers world class training in social innovation, entrepreneurship
skills development and rapid prototyping. Through its 5 to 8 day social
innovation and entrepreneurship training program, it takes participants through
a step-by-step process from idea-generation through prototype design, testing,
development of a minimum viable product (MVP) and validation of a business
case. In addition, SOCIONEXT helps participants to understand co-creation
strategies and project planning based on the principles of game plans and
dynamic steering for team management
Testimonials
“Very interactive methods of facilitating. They provide a
platform for views to be aired, and formulated responses
aligned to such views. I find the model useful as it
addresses real problems as apposed to assumed issues
that may not exist.”
– Enock Ngobeni, CEO, Econo Waste
“The practical insights and real-world learnings were very
valuable. Kudos to both facilitators – this has been
invaluable in preparing me for venture capital funding. It
provides critical insight into how to crystallize my business
model and value propositions. Stimulates critical thinking
and strategic planning.”
– Llewellan Vance, CEO, Evolve Technologies
“The training content assisted me in getting to the bottom
line and to quickly determine business viability.”
– Anton Pieterse, Founder, Recor Renewable Energy
“The training content has been great in transforming my
really fuzzy, all-over-the-place business idea into a
defendable, concrete, structured business.”
- Yolandi Schoeman, Founder, Baoberry
CONTACT:
Tjaart Theron t.theron@socionext.org
www.socionext.org
AFRICA