Innovation City celebrated its annual Awards Night on Thursday, April 20th, 2023, recognizing outstanding individuals and companies making a significant impact in the business world. Innovation City is a dynamic community of entrepreneurs, investors, and change-makers driving innovation and economic growth in South Africa.

The night was filled with exciting entertainment, featuring a comedy skit by Nik Rabinowitz and musical performances by the Samson Brothers. However, the highlight of the event was the announcement of the winners of the Innovation City awards.

Wamly, South Africa’s largest one-way video interview platform, was named Tech Startup of the Year. The company, founded by industrial psychologist and talent expert Francois de Wet, provides innovative solutions for high-profile corporates and CEOs in the recruitment process. The company’s success during the COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the importance of its one-way video interview platform, which helps save time and create efficiency in the hiring process.

Launch Africa Ventures, a leading venture capital firm in Africa, was named VC of the Year for its exceptional performance in the venture capital industry and its ability to provide significant returns for its investors. The company has made significant investments in a range of industries, including fintech, healthtech, edtech, and agritech, and plans to continue investing in and supporting innovative startups across Africa.

Jody Aufrichtig, a prominent South African entrepreneur, was named Entrepreneur of the Year for his innovative spirit and ability to turn dreams and ideas into successful ventures. Jody’s latest work on the Amazon Centre in Cape Town has the potential to attract global attention and change the future prospects of the city to become a true global tech mega-star.

Iain Banner, an entrepreneur and leader in the green mobility space, was presented with the Cape Town Impact Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the city over the past year. Iain’s dedication and determination have led to the success of several infrastructure projects in the city, promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions, and reducing carbon emissions.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was awarded the Honorary Award for his dedication and efforts to make Cape Town a great place to do business. In his acceptance speech, he emphasised the

importance of collaboration between government and business in achieving this goal and making Cape Town the best city in Africa.

Stephan Ekbergh, Co-Founder of Innovation City, expressed his pride in the winners of the awards night, saying, “We’re here to honour the best of the best in the world of entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa. These individuals and companies are changing the game, revolutionising their industries and driving economic growth across the continent. We are proud to support them and celebrate their achievements.”

Innovation City MD Michelle Kleu said: “This is just the beginning for us, in terms of building a world-class tech ecosystem. It sets a nice tone for where we would like to take our community to in the future.”

The Innovation City Awards Night is a testament to the growing entrepreneurship and innovation scene in South Africa, showcasing the best and brightest in the industry.

For more info on Innovation City please visit: innovationcity.co.za