Meet Quickloc8: from zero to an MVP demonstrator using R470k TIA grant [Updated]

Correction (12 June 2019): In the initial version of this article we reported that Quickloc8 received a R650 000 grant from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). However, Quickloc8 CEO Mbavhalelo Mbavhi Mabogo subsequently informed us that the grant was in fact R472 975. The article has been updated to reflect this. Allen attributed the error to the cap of the seed fund’s quantum recently having changed from R500 000 to R650 000.

From zero to an MVP demonstrator using R470 000 in seed funding from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). That’s how the head of Cape Town tech hardware incubator Savant describes Mbavhalelo Mabogo and his startup Quickloc8.

Mabogo (pictured above) was one of three startups that were showcased by the incubator during a demo day held last week Thursday (14 June). The three are all supported by the incubator. The two other startups were Intelligent Safe and Jonga.

Mabogo founded Quickloc8 in 2015. The startup has produced a real-time vehicle and passenger tracking solution for the taxi industry.

“The work that Mbavhi (Mabogo) has done with that R650 000 was amazing, he basically went from zero to an MVP demonstrator,” commented Savant CEO Nick Allen.

He added that the startup which joined Savant last year is “in the process of going to the next round of funding from TIA”.

The work that Mbavhi Mabogo of Quickloc8 has done with that R650 000 was amazing, he basically went from zero to an MVP demonstrator

“So we’ve put in a tech-dev application to finalise the product and the goal will be to finalise and integrate into their current tracking product,” added Allen.

IoT safe valued at R130k

One of the best presentations of the Demo Day came from smart-safe startup Intelligent Safe Technologies. The 18-month old startup showcased its flagship R130 000 Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled programmable safe which is aimed at high-end retailers, like jewellers and cellphone shops.

Intelligent Safe investor and Maverick Telecom owner Gian Carlos Bruno said the engineering startup, which was founded by David Park Ross, Andre Lamprecht, and Terrence Henry, had spent close to R3-million developing the safe.

“Ultimately, we believe we’ve come up with a very novel solution for a global problem,” said Bruno, adding that the given the right contacts and investors the product can work anywhere in the world.

He said the startup — which has managed to self-fund two thirds of the development costs of the safe — is now looking for investors. “All we need now is working capital and we are away,” chipped in Ross.

‘Orange interested in us’

Savant’s latest incubee, Cape Town-based security startup Jonga — which joined the incubator two months ago — also presented at the event.

The startup’s founders COO Ntando Shezi and CEO Ntsako Mgiba were fresh from a Department of Trade and Industry sponsored trip to Viva Tech in France.

Shezi said the startup, which is developing an IoT-enabled low-cost security system, had received “great feedback and market reception from the French ecosystem”.

“We actually got a bit of interest from Orange. They were actually just really interested in just how we were looking at the whole smart home ecosystem,” said Shezi.

Shezi also said that the startup, which is currently raising a round of funding, is looking to roll-out about 100 units in Khayelitsha between August and October this year.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Savant’s Allen said the success and impact that the incubator had achieved were a result of its focus on hard tech.

Said Allen: “We are good at what we do from a hardware perspective, we think we understand hardware, we understand scientist and engineers, we’ve all got that kind of background, so we think we can add value in a specific space”.

Read more: SA incubator Savant in process of raising funding for 11 tech companies [Q&A]
Read more: Cape Town-based security startup Jonga wins Santam Safety Ideas campaign