Samsung announces ‘Launching People’ campaign to support SA startups

No, Samsung has not just announced it’s embarking on some sort of human experimental space mission. Instead, the Launching People campaign will focus on bringing support to entrepreneurs in South Africa. The company announced today that, starting next year, it will be giving people the chance to “unleash their potential” by teaming them up with renowned mentors, gain startup funding and cutting edge products to help them on their entrepreneurial journey.

Samsung’s Launching People imitative was first introduced in France a few months ago and has started rolling out to various regions of the world including Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and now Africa.

By providing both technology and professional support, Samsung hopes to turn South Africans’ dreams, passions and potential into reality during 2014. Samsung plans on using its strong position online to encourage both exposure and investment in those it supports.

“We believe that technology can only have meaning when you put it in the hands of a person. Amazing things happen when technology collides with someone’s potential,” says Michelle Potgieter, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Samsung Electronics SA. By inspiring ideas and supporting aspirations, she notes that Samsung does not only launch gadgets:

“These tales have made us realise that Samsung doesn’t just launch products, we launch people, inspire ideas and make dreams come true. Over the next year, we will work with individuals from all walks of life on new and exciting projects and with the assistance of technology help them not only explore personal passions, but also inspire others.”

This is not the first initiative where Samsung has shown its support for both tech innovation and business development industries in Africa. As part of its STEP programme, last month the South Korean tech company launched the Business Partner plan in South Africa offering enterprise-ready solutions and business partnership and collaborations.

Furthermore, initiatives such as the Solar Powered Health Centre initiative is a large-scale medical initiative on the continent. Another similar venture includes the Samsung Solar Power Generator which aims to tackle rural Africa’s electricity sector.