UCT’s Solution Space calls on high-impact scale-ups to apply for new programme

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Solution Space has launched its a programme to support UCT students and alumni looking to start or scale up high-impact solutions.

The new initiative, the E-Track Programme, is designed to assist individuals or teams build scalable businesses –is a partnership between Solution Space and the MTN Group.

Solution Space explained in a statement yesterday (7 August) that the programme will also serve as a platform for corporate partners to engage and collaborate with one another.

Applications for Solution Space’s E-Track programme close on 23 August

Solution Space director Mikael Samuelsson, commenting in the same statement, called on UCT and Graduate School of Business final year students and alumni who want to learn how to scale up a business through “hard work and a competitive edge” to make use of the opportunity.

“This programme is a competitive process for entrepreneurs and teams who want to run viable businesses with aspirations to enter the global market,” said Samuelsson.

MTN Group GM for ecosystem development Eero Tarjanne said the programme will help scale promising ideas and teams in the digital and mobile financial services space in order to create and stimulate an ecosystem leveraging various MTN platforms.

Applications for the programme close on 23 August.

In order to be considered for the programme, applicants must have a business idea or minimum viable product (MVP) and be looking to gain a deep understanding of the market environment and potential problems.

Solution Space acting manager Shiela Yabo pointed out that the programme aims to develop both entrepreneurs and new ventures with the aim of facilitating recruitment of top talent and complementary business units to the partner’s portfolio.

“Our main advantage as an organisation is our ability to access top talent and knowledge from our network of talent and researchers, predominantly at University of Cape Town but also beyond in the larger global ecosystem,” added Yabo.

Those looking for more information on the initiative can contact Phiwe Njapa on +27 (0)21 406 1644 or phiwe.njapa@gsb.uct.ac.za

Featured image: Participants of the Solution Space’s Venture Incubation Programme at a last year’s Winter School demo day (Solution Space via Facebook)