Specno, a South African venture builder co-founded by Daniel Novitzkas and Jacques Jordaan, aims to help one million people build tech-enabled businesses by 2030. It is a one-stop-shop for innovation where entrepreneurs can validate their ideas, build them into viable products, and get the help they need to take them to market.
Novitzkas and Jordaan have taken Specno from a university side-hustle to one of South Africa’s top-rated design and development agencies with more than 40 employees in just four years.
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Specno has already serviced more than 100 clients across South Africa, the Netherlands, United States, and the United Kingdom, and has achieved a consistent annual growth rate of 230% year-on-year.
The co-founders are said to have a unique relationship that started during a group project at the Stellenbosch University’s Business School in 2018. Their project was a success, and they were able to use their different skill sets to deliver excellent work quickly.
At first, they became known for their technical expertise and were introduced to a local agri-tech start-up, Skudu, who became their first client. After delivering impressive results, Skudu offered them a three-year contract which gave them enough capital to start their business, Specno.
In an interview, Novitzkas and Jordaan stated that they aim to build a better South Africa by empowering entrepreneurs with the tools they need to build scalable businesses. The co-founders believe that they can help create a more inclusive and sustainable economy by providing entrepreneurs with knowledge, skills, funding, and a market.
Jordaan stated, “We believe that entrepreneurs are the driving force behind economic growth, and we want to help as many people as possible achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to building a better future for South Africa, and we believe that technology can be a powerful tool for achieving this goal.”
“We want to create a platform that makes it easy for anyone with an idea to turn it into a successful business,” added Novitzkas.
“We want to provide entrepreneurs with the support they need to grow their businesses and create jobs that will help build a better South Africa.”
Despite the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Specno has continued to achieve significant growth. The co-founders attribute their success to their ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and their commitment to providing exceptional service to their clients.
Novitzkas said, “We understand that our clients are the reason for our success, and we are committed to providing them with the best service possible. We are always looking for ways to improve our processes and provide our clients with innovative solutions that will help them achieve their goals.”
Meanwhile, Jordaan added, “We are also committed to investing in our employees and creating a positive work culture. We believe that happy employees are more productive and can deliver better results for our clients.”
Specno’s mission to help one million people build tech-enabled businesses by 2030 is an ambitious goal, but the co-founders are well on their way to achieving it. The co-founders are driven by their passion for entrepreneurship and their desire to build a better South Africa.
Their success story is an inspiration to young entrepreneurs across the continent, and their commitment to empowering others is a testament to the power of innovation and technology in driving inclusive and sustainable development.
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