SmartXchange, SmartXchange incubates and promotes Media, Information Communication Technology, electronics and arts (MICTea) entrepreneurs in South AfricaBased in the coastal city of Durban, with a satellite centre in Port Shepstone, and a recently activated Digital Hub in the township of KwaMashu, the Durban Technology Hub which trades as SmartXchange, is an innovation node and business incubation centre. The centre was established in 2004 to support and promote the region’s vision to be the technology hub of Africa. SmartXchange incubates and promotes Media, Information Communication Technology, electronics and arts (MICTea) entrepreneurs in South Africa. The incubator is supported by a powerful network of partnerships, which allows the institution to continuously deliver on its mandate of SMME development via the vast range of support services offered to SMME’s during the three-year incubation period. As part of its replication model, SmartXchange has established a Digital Hub in KwaMashu which boasts a Living Lab and Makerspace for entrepreneurs and innovators from the PINK (Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu) precinct. The facility provides the resources to co-create innovative solutions whilst also incubating businesses to grow into sustainable, market ready entities. The Hub also focuses on township challenges and the co-creation of meaningful, impactful solutions that will improve the quality of life in the townships. Vision To be at the heart of a growing and innovative South African MICTea industry that has global impact. Mission To develop and support MICTea SMME’s through world and class incubation, and skills development whilst encouraging innovation and collaboration in the MICTea sector. Objectives • Develop and support quality black economic empowered MICTea companies to create jobs and stimulate the economy. • Build a pool of skilled MICTea workers through the incubated SMME’s. • Extend the reach of SmartXchange’s impact in developing the MICTea industry in South Africa. • Stimulate innovation among SMME’s in the incubator and in the wider MICTea industry. • Provide excellent services to incubated SMME’s. • Develop and sustain mutually beneficial relationships with strategic partners. SMME Skills Development Support Services include: • Overview of business growth cycle, monthly business health checks, sustainability reports and personalised assistance using the Growth Wheel tool • Training related to the specific needs of businesses • An SMME forum to build relationships and partnerships • Sponsored Internet • Assistance in creating structures relevant to specific stages of business growth • Assistance in formulating required policies and procedures • Sponsored marketing kit, inclusive of roll up banner, business cards, company website and promotional video • Innovation grant funding to a maximum of R650 000.00 Funding SmartXchange is funded by committed strategic partners, who offer both financial and strategic support. These partners include eThekwini Municipality, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Small Enterprise Funding Agency (SEFA), Technology Innovations Agency (TIA), MICT Seta as well as other key commercial partners. SmartXchange Accolades • Winner of the 2022 Standard Bank KZN Top Business Award • Winner of the 2019 Standard Bank KZN Top Business Award • Declared as the Global winner at the 2019 International Telecoms Union (ITU) • Winner of the 2018 SABIC Incubator of the Year • Winner of the 2018 Ray Nkonyeni Mayoral Community Award • Winner of the 2017 Standard Bank eLan Property KZN Top Business Award • Winner of the 2016 FNB KZN Top Business Award • Winner of the 2016 National Science and Technology Forum South32 Award • Runner Up: 2016 SABIC Incubator of the Year Award • Runner Up: 2015 Govtech ICT Service Delivery Award • Winner of the 2015 eLan Property Group KZN Top Business Award • Winner of the 2013 FNB KZN Top Business Award • Winner of the 2013 Alec Rogoff B-BBEE Enterprise Development Award • Winner of the prestigious 2006 Computer Society of South Africa (KZN Chapter) ICT Company of the Year Award JONATHAN NAIDOO is an economics graduate with post-graduate specialisation in research methods, political and economic geography. He was previously COO of Trade and Investment KZN and holds certificates in imports and exports, project financing for public-private partnerships, conflict management, program management, financial modelling. he also holds an estate agents' diploma and an education degree specialising in mathematics. Jonathan has extensive experience in trade and investment-related activities, having led and accompanied a number of outward and inward business missions. Jonathan's business experiences, coupled with his connectivity, both domestically and internationally has earned him the reputation of an astute "deal maker". As the CEO of SmartXchange, he is passionate about the work that the business incubator is doing to promote the development of entrepreneurs in the MICTe sector. He is focused on what he wishes the organisation to achieve and always maintains a visionary outlook. This approach is necessary in order to remain relevant in the innovation space. Naidoo maintains that the ongoing exposure to the vibey and fantastic ideas of these young entrepreneurs is very exciting and provides momentum to the management of the day to day business. Jonathan's entrepreneurial passion resulted in a number of start-ups: Excellent Signs (1985), a 180 seater a la carte restaurant, and a take away and ice cream parlour at the Port Shepstone beachfront (1989), and Excellent Furniture (1992). In 1998 he established a property development company, Jorano Investments. In 2000, Jonathan sold off his three businesses to focus exclusively on property development. Jonathan is currently appointed onto the Ray Nkonyeni Mayoral Economic Advisory Committee and serves as a Council Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Human Resource Development Council as the lead champion for the ICT sector. Naidoo says that SmartXchange's success has been made possible through three key elements. Firstly, he has the backing of motivated staff, patrons and a highly supportive board. Secondly, SmartXchange has developed powerful strategic partnerships with government and the private sector. Third is the commitment and dedication of SMMEs which is essential. "If they don't give us good," results then we don't look good, commented Naidoo. Naidoo's vision would be to see SMMEs moving from business support and reselling to the innovation of great products, which results in high growth companies. SMMEs also need to ensure that they have a broad client base in order to avoid being a high-risk company in the event of the loss of key clients. This is especially apparent when companies are over-dependent on government contracts, which are at times not renewed at the end of the service delivery agreements. In the future, Naidoo would like to see the SmartXchange model being duplicated as it has the potential to be adopted as a national model. Another of Naidoo's passions is for innovation to contribute to the development of 'Smart African Cities'. He said that South Africa has the potential to be a leader and to have a global footprint. However, innovations in technology are only one aspect of the solution. "We also require people to develop smart attitudes. We need smart minded people who are able to deliver the 'wow' factor. We need those people who are able to give me bad news with a smile and who are able to go the extra mile and make me feel good even if there are challenges.". In conclusion, said Naidoo, "Incubated SMMEs are a formula for success with guaranteed results on condition that they work hard, have a little bit of luck and faith in God," When not at work, Naidoo enjoys the outdoors, including hiking, gardening, golfing and fishing. He says, "Gardening is my therapy. As you would nurture a garden, similarly with entrepreneurs. you would do the same. You plant the seeds, nurture and care for them and watch them grow, blossom and flourish into successful sustainable businesses for all of us to enjoy the fruits of our labour." JONATHAN NAIDOO is an economics graduate with post-graduate specialisation in research methods, political and economic geography. He was previously COO of Trade and Investment KZN and holds certificates in imports and exports, project financing for public-private partnerships, conflict management, program management, financial modelling. he also holds an estate agents' diploma and an education degree specialising in mathematics. Jonathan has extensive experience in trade and investment-related activities, having led and accompanied a number of outward and inward business missions. Jonathan's business experiences, coupled with his connectivity, both domestically and internationally has earned him the reputation of an astute "deal maker". As the CEO of SmartXchange, he is passionate about the work that the business incubator is doing to promote the development of entrepreneurs in the MICTe sector. He is focused on what he wishes the organisation to achieve and always maintains a visionary outlook. This approach is necessary in order to remain relevant in the innovation space. Naidoo maintains that the ongoing exposure to the vibey and fantastic ideas of these young entrepreneurs is very exciting and provides momentum to the management of the day to day business. Jonathan's entrepreneurial passion resulted in a number of start-ups: Excellent Signs (1985), a 180 seater a la carte restaurant, and a take away and ice cream parlour at the Port Shepstone beachfront (1989), and Excellent Furniture (1992). In 1998 he established a property development company, Jorano Investments. In 2000, Jonathan sold off his three businesses to focus exclusively on property development. Jonathan is currently appointed onto the Ray Nkonyeni Mayoral Economic Advisory Committee and serves as a Council Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Human Resource Development Council as the lead champion for the ICT sector. Naidoo says that SmartXchange's success has been made possible through three key elements. Firstly, he has the backing of motivated staff, patrons and a highly supportive board. Secondly, SmartXchange has developed powerful strategic partnerships with government and the private sector. Third is the commitment and dedication of SMMEs which is essential. "If they don't give us good," results then we don't look good, commented Naidoo. Naidoo's vision would be to see SMMEs moving from business support and reselling to the innovation of great products, which results in high growth companies. SMMEs also need to ensure that they have a broad client base in order to avoid being a high-risk company in the event of the loss of key clients. This is especially apparent when companies are over-dependent on government contracts, which are at times not renewed at the end of the service delivery agreements. In the future, Naidoo would like to see the SmartXchange model being duplicated as it has the potential to be adopted as a national model. Another of Naidoo's passions is for innovation to contribute to the development of 'Smart African Cities'. He said that South Africa has the potential to be a leader and to have a global footprint. However, innovations in technology are only one aspect of the solution. "We also require people to develop smart attitudes. We need smart minded people who are able to deliver the 'wow' factor. We need those people who are able to give me bad news with a smile and who are able to go the extra mile and make me feel good even if there are challenges.". In conclusion, said Naidoo, "Incubated SMMEs are a formula for success with guaranteed results on condition that they work hard, have a little bit of luck and faith in God," When not at work, Naidoo enjoys the outdoors, including hiking, gardening, golfing and fishing. He says, "Gardening is my therapy. As you would nurture a garden, similarly with entrepreneurs. you would do the same. You plant the seeds, nurture and care for them and watch them grow, blossom and flourish into successful sustainable businesses for all of us to enjoy the fruits of our labour."

SmartXchange

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INTRODUCTION

SmartXchange incubates and promotes Media, Information Communication Technology, electronics and arts (MICTea) entrepreneurs in South Africa

Leadership

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NEWS BLOG

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SmartXchange

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Jonathan Naidoo

Incubation in the Smme Ecosystem

Based in the coastal city of Durban, with a satellite centre in Port Shepstone, and a recently activated Digital Hub in the township of KwaMashu, the Durban Technology Hub which trades as SmartXchange, is an innovation node and business incubation centre. The centre was established in 2004 to support and promote the region’s vision to be the technology hub of Africa.

SmartXchange incubates and promotes Media, Information Communication Technology, electronics and arts (MICTea) entrepreneurs in South Africa. The incubator is supported by a powerful network of partnerships, which allows the institution to continuously deliver on its mandate of SMME development via the vast range of support services offered to SMME’s during the three-year incubation period.

As part of its replication model, SmartXchange has established a Digital Hub in KwaMashu which boasts a Living Lab and Makerspace for entrepreneurs and innovators from the PINK (Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu) precinct. The facility provides the resources to co-create innovative solutions whilst also incubating businesses to grow into sustainable, market ready entities. The Hub also focuses on township challenges and the co-creation of meaningful, impactful solutions that will improve the quality of life in the townships.

Vision
To be at the heart of a growing and innovative South African MICTea industry that has global impact.

Mission
To develop and support MICTea SMME’s through world and class incubation, and skills development whilst encouraging innovation and collaboration in the MICTea sector.

Objectives
• Develop and support quality black economic empowered MICTea companies to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
• Build a pool of skilled MICTea workers through the incubated SMME’s.
• Extend the reach of SmartXchange’s impact in developing the MICTea industry in South Africa.
• Stimulate innovation among SMME’s in the incubator and in the wider MICTea industry.
• Provide excellent services to incubated SMME’s.
• Develop and sustain mutually beneficial relationships with strategic partners.

SMME Skills Development Support Services include:
• Overview of business growth cycle, monthly business health checks, sustainability reports and personalised assistance using the Growth Wheel tool
• Training related to the specific needs of businesses
• An SMME forum to build relationships and partnerships
• Sponsored Internet
• Assistance in creating structures relevant to specific stages of business growth
• Assistance in formulating required policies and procedures
• Sponsored marketing kit, inclusive of roll up banner, business cards, company website and promotional video
• Innovation grant funding to a maximum of R650 000.00

Funding
SmartXchange is funded by committed strategic partners, who offer both financial and strategic support. These partners include eThekwini Municipality, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Small Enterprise Funding Agency (SEFA), Technology Innovations Agency (TIA), MICT Seta as well as other key commercial partners.

SmartXchange Accolades
• Winner of the 2022 Standard Bank KZN Top Business Award
• Winner of the 2019 Standard Bank KZN Top Business Award
• Declared as the Global winner at the 2019 International Telecoms Union (ITU)
• Winner of the 2018 SABIC Incubator of the Year
• Winner of the 2018 Ray Nkonyeni Mayoral Community Award
• Winner of the 2017 Standard Bank eLan Property KZN Top Business Award
• Winner of the 2016 FNB KZN Top Business Award
• Winner of the 2016 National Science and Technology Forum South32 Award
• Runner Up: 2016 SABIC Incubator of the Year Award
• Runner Up: 2015 Govtech ICT Service Delivery Award
• Winner of the 2015 eLan Property Group KZN Top Business Award
• Winner of the 2013 FNB KZN Top Business Award
• Winner of the 2013 Alec Rogoff B-BBEE Enterprise Development Award
• Winner of the prestigious 2006 Computer Society of South Africa (KZN Chapter) ICT Company of the Year Award

Full Name of Company: Durban Technology Hub t/a SmartXchange
Nature of Business: Financial and Business Services
Services: Incubation of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) in Media Information Communication Technology and Electronics and Arts.
Date Established: April 2004
Customer Base: Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s)
No. of Employees: 12
Auditors / Accountants: Accensis
Bankers: Standard Bank
B-BBEE Status: Level 2

KEY PERSONNEL
CEO: Jonathan Naidoo
Manager Port Shepstone: Fatima Moolla

CONTACT DETAILS
DURBAN
Physical Address: 125 Florence Nzama Street, North
Beach, Durban,4003
Postal Address: P.O. Box 5225, Durban 4001
Tel: +27 (0)31 307 1988
E-mail: jonathan@smartxchange.co.za
Website: www.smartxchange.co.za

PORT SHEPSTONE
Physical Address: 54 Mitchell Drive, Port Shepstone 4240
Tel: +27 (0)39 682 0631
Email: fatima@smartxchange.co.za

KWAMASHU
Physical Address: 30 109236 Street, Emakhosini
Tel: +27 (0)82 461 7487
Email: fatima@smartxchange.co.za

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