Two SA startups to battle it out in international pitch competition

South African companies Newtech Rail and Adfire Creative M3dia’s iMORPH3D app will compete in the international Get In The Ring finals in Colombia later this year. This comes after the two startups battled it out against seven other African startups in a pitching session in Johannesburg recently.

The Get In The Ring competition made its debut last year in South Africa and is part of the Dutch House of the Future programme. Today it has participants from 64 countries, connecting more than 3 000 entrepreneurs to thousands of funders and millions of fans.

The competition is brought to Africa by The REAL Entrepreneur Institute (trading as The REAL Success Network), in partnership with the Dutch Embassy in Pretoria, Bhive, North West University, Heineken, Sage One Accounting, City of Johannesburg, Business Engage, Ingweno, Flexible Workspace, TomTom, Innovation Hub, Silicon Cape and Uncovering Greatness. Additional supporting sponsors include Mammoet, TU Delft, NRF, KLM and Royal Haskoning DHV.

Read more: Data and transport app GoMetro wins Get in the Ring 2014 Africa finals

“This event is not just about pitching for funding, it is also about pitching for attention. In the process running up to the finals, they will be exposed to thousands of potential partners and funders,” said Brian Walsh, CEO of the REAL Success Network.

Newtech Rail by Jan Jooste is said to have developed three significant power line breakthroughs set to take a chunk of a global, multi-billion dollar power industry pie. iMORPH3D is a mobile app that enables users to create their own anamorphic 3D illusions, allowing events companies, advertising agencies or consumers to create new and exciting artwork.

Steven Cohen of Sage One International said: “Get in the Ring is a great fit with our business and a wonderful initiative to support small and start-up business owners. It is helping to encourage excellence and innovation among local businesses, and provide role models and inspiration for the entrepreneurs of the future.”

Newtech Rail and Adfire Creative M3dia’s iMORPH3D app will go through to the final showdown in Medellin, Colombia in March this year. Last year, South Africa’s GoMetro was crowned as Africa’s champion while