Explore Data Science Academy, Alphacode seeks aspiring SA fintech entrepreneurs

Do you have an idea that could make you South Africa’s most successful fintech entrepreneur? Are you looking to acquire the skills to launch a data-driven fintech business? A new one-year data science and business skills programme aims to assist aspirant SA fintech entrepreneurs.

In an announcement today, the Explore Data Science Academy (Edsa) and Rand Merchant Investments’ (RMI) fintech division, AlphaCode, said their Explore 10X programme would assist 20 aspiring SA future fintech entrepreneurs.

Successful candidates will go through an intensive six-month data science-training programme, where they will learn how to design a fast-growing business along with the core digital skills needed to build a fintech organisation.

Explore Data Science Academy and Alphacode said the programme would assist 20 aspiring SA future fintech entrepreneurs

This will be followed by three-months of business skills training, learning how to execute a business strategy for a fast-growing firm and to build a fintech startup.

The course will be sponsored by RMI and is offered at no cost to the candidates selected to take part. Included in the sponsorship is a stipend, to cover major living expenses during the year.

Alphacode head Dominique Collett said the programme will provides AlphaCode access to “young, bright, future fintech entrepreneurs” with great ideas, which AlphaCode can then help grow their businesses and the economy at the same time.

Candidates interested in the programme need to submit their CV, as well as write a 750-word essay, motivating their ideas and why the world would be a better place with their business in it. Twenty of the best entries will be selected. Entries close on 30 October.

“Ideal candidates for Explore 10X would be young (in spirit) graduates with tech smarts, bright ideas for fintech innovation and disruption, a passion for data analytics, a desire to acquire new skills as well as the ambition and drive to build and grow a business that could impact South Africa’s fintech industry,” said Shaun Dippnall, co-founder of the Explore Data Science Academy.

Apply here for the Explore 10X programme.

Featured image: rawpixel via Pixabay