Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [17/06/2020]

The SA government plans to allow more sectors of the economy to open under the level 3 lockdown restrictions.

This, as Startupbootcamp and UK-South Africa Tech Hub, a UK government initiative, are hosting the Disrupt Covid-19 Digital Hackathon from 6 to 9 July.

With Covid-19 headlining news all over the world, Ventureburn has launched a regular daily roundup on the virus and how it is affecting Africa’s tech startup sector.

Those with any news releases relating to Covid-19 and Africa’s tech startup sector can send these to editor@memeburn.com.

The SA government plans to allow more sectors of the economy to open under the level 3 lockdown restrictions

Here then is the latest on the coronavirus and African tech startups:

More sectors to be permitted to trade: The SA government plans to allow more sectors of the economy to open under the level 3 lockdown restrictions, Business Report said in an article today. The publication quoted the Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, who on Monday (15 June) said the country would know by the end of the week whether more sectors of the economy would be allowed to resume or not. Restaurants, hotels and businesses that offer personal care services such as hairdressers are currently not allowed to operate.

Disrupt Covid-19 hackathon: Startupbootcamp and UK-South Africa Tech Hub, a UK government initiative, are hosting the Disrupt Covid-19 Digital Hackathon from 6 to 9 July. The organisers are seeking solutions on how to include more small businesses in public procurement, in response to Covid-19, while driving transparency and best practice in procurement. Innovators must apply by 29 June. Startups will have the opportunity to work with the UK Government’s Global Digital Marketplace Programme. Winning teams will also receive R15 000 in cash prizes, Amazon AWS credits, logistics support, membership to the Silicon Cape Network, and other support. This will assist those teams to implement pilots and proof of concepts for the solution with the challenge partners.

SA Innovation Summit goes digital: The SA Innovation Summit will go be run as a digital event this year, from 30 September to 1 October, Audrey Verhaeghe, the event’s chairperson announced last week. The digital programme will include business matching and networking, pitching dens, showcasing, plenary discussions and workshops. Entries for the Inventors Garage — which offers an opportunity for entrepreneurs with a working prototype or product from a proven concept to pre-commercialisation to exhibit virtually — are now open. This year, the summit will introduce a new initiative, the Fem-In-Tech Development Programme. Top applicants of the Africa Cup, Inventors Garage and the Fem-In-Tech programmes will go on an international virtual investor tour, made possible by Anza Capital.

Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [15/06/2020]

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