Thami Hoza, a UCT student created impact with Hotnozzle, are you next?
This year January, gave a huge perspective to Thami Hoza, student at University of Cape Town, when he travelled to India for Entrepreneurship program after winning at the last Disruption 48 event. His idea ‘Hotnozzle’ which is not just innovative but solves real life issues for people living alone, especially students. The device when attached to the shower gives instant hot water to anyone taking a bath. As a reward for this idea, Thami secured a seat in StartupSafari – recently acquired by WeeTracker, to its India trip. Startup Safari enables international growth and scale for entrepreneurs across the globe, and facilitates cross border investment, technology transfer and joint ventures. In the last 2+ years it has managed to immerse 100+ African entrepreneurs in India, Israel and Western Europe. The focus remains on grass root programs especially across Africa, to skill early stage entrepreneurs through a travel immersive curriculum and give them access to mentors, validation and investment. During Thami’s trip not only did he experience the Indian culture but had great mentorship sessions with seasoned entrepreneurs like Ankur Warikoo, C0-Founder & CEO of Nearbuy, India’s leading deal discovery platform. He exclaims, that he got an insight into the holistic approach towards entrepreneurship. The event which received more than hundred applications, had 5 finalists where Hotnozzle emerged as the winner.
This year Disruption 48 has one more addition, not just college students, any budding idea can taste success. As we near the last date to apply to the Disruption 48 event, the excitement amongst the IdeaPreneurs can be felt. We have received overwhelming response from the University talents and some more are flowing in as we write. There is loads of exciting prizes to be won and some priceless experience to gain. With your business idea having a chance to see the market, Disruption 48 has been a constant force behind shaping these ideas of the ignited minds. The scale got bigger as we have host of partners supporting our vision, where we unite to give platform to deserving and brilliant ideas.
“Disruption 48 proved to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of minds who don’t think they possessed that ability. It was humbling to see the journey of students awakening to their true potential, their growth and exceeding their own beliefs” remarks Ellen Fishchat who is a prominent mentor at D48.
The reward list has been made more meaningful for the participants, to help them give an opportunity to experiment with their thoughts.
The Finale which takes place on 17th February at MEST Coworking, Woodstock Exchange will be graced by industry stalwarts Ashwin Ravichandran, GM, MEST Incubator (Accra)
Antoinette Prophy, Founder & MD, 88Business Collective, Matthew Henshall, Founder & CEO, Skillup Tutors, Carrie Leaver, Director, Social Agents, Benjamin Shaw, Founder & CEO, HouseME. MEST who shares a common goal with us for African startup ecosystem, offers aspiring entrepreneurs a fully sponsored, intensive 12 month training program. Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) are sourced from top graduates in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire.
Matthew Henshall of Skillup Tutors adds his excitement by saying “Disruption48 is doing an amazing job for young entrepreneurs of filling the gap between having an idea and turning into a reality. Too often young entrepreneurs with good ideas are unsure of the next steps they need to take, and this is exactly where Disruption48 directs them.”
