by Giselle Sari Botha, Innovation City Community Manager

The real value of an innovation community lies in its ability to bring the right people into the same room, and create connections that would not otherwise happen.

Innovation City recently welcomed the Brasil IT+ Business Mission to South Africa, led by Werner Trieloff of Open Road Investments in partnership with SOFTEX, the Brazilian organisation supporting technology innovation, digital transformation and the international expansion of Brazil’s software sector.

The Cape Town visit formed part of a week-long mission to build stronger ties between the Brazilian and South African technology ecosystems. The two markets face many similar challenges, and may already have solutions to share with one another.

But a successful international mission requires more than a venue and a series of pitches. It requires local context, thoughtful introductions and access to people who understand the market.

Innovation City worked with the delegation to bring together companies and ecosystem partners with genuine potential to connect, collaborate and open doors for one another.

Five Brazilian companies presented their technologies to members and friends of the Innovation City community.

SoftExpert introduced its integrated business management platform, which brings document management, quality, governance and compliance into one connected system.

CITeB, a Brazilian innovation and R&D hub, shared how it supports technology companies, develops applied research projects and connects businesses, researchers and innovation ecosystems. Its presentation also explored the potential for a two-way bridge between innovation communities in South Africa and Brazil.

Evo Systems/GoVisit demonstrated technology ranging from software development and AI to a facial-recognition visitor management platform designed to make access to workplaces and industrial sites simpler and more secure.

IseTool showcased conversational operational technology that allows distributed workforces to access company knowledge through familiar platforms including WhatsApp, Teams and Telegram.

Zlife.PET - IA for VETS presented its AI-powered veterinary diagnostic platform, which brings consultation transcriptions, blood tests, X-rays and other clinical information together to help vets reach faster, better-informed decisions.

Innovation City members Autoscriber and Nineteen58 also took the floor, represented by Jacqueline Kazmaier, and Kieran Ellis and Stephen Walker respectively. Conversations during the visit revealed potential synergies between IseTool and Nineteen58, as well as between ZLife and Autoscriber.

That is precisely the kind of serendipity we aim to create at Innovation City.

The visit itself began with a connection. Innovation City member Thabiet Allie, Group Head: e-Verticals at MTN, introduced Werner to us. Together, we set about bringing the right people into the room, while Innovation City co-founder Kieno Kammies welcomed the delegation with a tour of our ecosystem and space.

Thank you to Octoco, Bitprop, Zuun, Nineteen58, Autoscriber, Manza (ex Zazu), Momentum and Sudor Apps, as well as Joshua Palm from Wesgro, for engaging with the delegation and helping to open new conversations.

The group also visited UVU and Stellenbosch University’s LaunchLab during its Cape Town programme. Wherever these conversations ultimately lead, the principle remains the same: you cannot manufacture serendipity, but you can create the conditions for it.

International innovation missions are most valuable when visiting organisations can move beyond introductions and begin building relationships within the local ecosystem. That is where Innovation City can help: curating the room, connecting the right people and creating a meaningful point of entry into Cape Town’s technology community.

If your foundation, trade body, embassy, accelerator or innovation organisation is planning a delegation to Cape Town, we would be pleased to help you connect with the people and companies shaping the city’s innovation ecosystem.

Contact us at events@innovationcity.co.za to start the conversation!