Startup Knight competition to reward innovation, major sponsors in tow

Software-based tech startups check this out. Startup Knight, a competition courtesy of Byte Orbit, will be hosted in Cape Town later this month and is backed by major companies such as Microsoft, Nokia and 8ta.

The winning startup can look forward to software packages from Microsoft to run their business for three years as well as US$60 000 worth of Azure Services. Business incubator, Bandwidth Barn will be providing office space for six months, and Nokia has come on board as a product sponsor. In addition, 8ta will be providing a 3G data modem loaded with its 60Gig + 60Gig offering. The grand prize is software development to the value of R100 000 sponsored by Byte Orbit and will include ongoing mentorship.

Byte Orbit will take a small equity stake in the winning business and leverage its nine years of industry experience to offer support on an ongoing basis. Additional mentorship and marketing assistance will be provided by Ching Payments.

Amit Ramdath, CEO of software development company Byte Orbit, encourages other technology companies to get involved in boosting entrepreneurship in the country. “We would like to extend a challenge to other established technology based companies to identify and incubate innovative entrepreneurs in South Africa,” says Ramdath.

Participants can enter online from 1 October and entries close on 25 October. Fifteen finalists will be announced by 26 October and they will be required to pitch to a judging panel at Byte Orbit Offices in Durbanville, Cape Town on 3 November. The results of the winner will be announced on the evening of 3 November at a venue in Cape Town. The main requirement is that the entry must be focused on a software product.

The judging panel will consist of Ramdath, Head of Ecosystem at Nokia — Anthony Stonefield, Microsoft South Africa Equity Equivalent Lead — Kethan Parbhoo, Senior Managing Executive at 8ta — Amith Maharaj, managing director at Bandwidth Blog / OnNet — Charl Norman and managing director of Ching Payments, Martin Ras.