26 Aug Kernections: The South African Startup Powering Connections at Digital Divas

Building real connections at events isn’t always easy. That’s where Kernections comes in. Developed by Cape Town–based founders Scott Eyono and Omesan Naidoo, this AI-powered networking and event management platform is designed to make finding the right people effortless, whether at a 200-person summit or a casual meetup.

Launching as the official networking app for Digital Divas Summit 2025, Kernections is set to transform how attendees discover each other, connect, and collaborate. We spoke to co-founder Scott Eyono about the story behind the platform, what makes it different, and why Digital Divas was the perfect place to showcase it.

How did the idea for Kernections come about, and what problem were you trying to solve in South Africa’s event and networking space?

Kernections is actually a pivot. Initially my co-founder and I were trying to solve the problem of vehicle accidents. We built a working proof of concept of a V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) network for cars. Basically, this meant allowing cars to talk to each other, similar to walkie-talkies. The prototype worked, but struggled to get to market. I started attending events in search of partners and quickly realized how hard it is to find specific people in a room of 100+ attendees. That’s when we decided to build Kernections. Our struggle was shared by many others, and as problem solvers, that’s why we set out to solve it.

What gap in the market did you see that existing networking or event platforms weren’t addressing?

Several existing networking platforms are very centralized around big events and conferences. Access usually requires purchasing an event ticket costing thousands, and the app disappears once the event ends. We wanted to cater not only for large conferences but also for smaller gatherings or meetups. These happen more often and carry just as much networking potential. Kernections unlocks that space.

Why was it important for you to build this in South Africa?

In South Africa, and Africa in general, there are people who want to build for the continent. We have the skills, some resources, but most importantly, we have each other. Building a networking platform that enables the right people to meet and collaborate aligns with my personal goal. There is so much potential here, and Kernections is about connecting that potential to opportunity.

How does Kernections actually work?

Kernections has two modes: centralized and decentralized. At events, features like People Discovery let you see who’s in the room and what their interests are, while Threads allow for group-based conversations that break the ice more naturally than the old “what do you do?” approach. Outside events, decentralized mode uses location to surface nearby professionals, so you can find networking opportunities in places like coworking hubs or cafés.

What role does AI play in the platform?

Our AI features are in development and will be ready by year-end. They’ll recommend connections, tailor networking profiles for events, and even offer personalized networking tips. Long-term, we want AI to help people find events where the exact people they need to meet will be.

What makes Kernections stand out compared to global alternatives?

We’re not event-only. Kernections is designed to be the default for networking both inside and outside of events. We’re also building a points system that rewards people for engaging and networking, with the aim of extending those rewards beyond events.

Why launch at Digital Divas 2025?

Several digital divas have played a role in our journey — from our first customer, to our first advisor, to our first networking champion. It feels right to launch at a summit that celebrates women in tech, since they’ve been some of our biggest allies from the beginning.

How do you see Kernections shaping networking in Africa?

We want to make it easier for anyone — from students to executives — to find the people they need. Networking applies to organizers, sponsors, venues, and attendees alike, and Kernections aims to support them all.

What excites you most about the future of networking?

For me, it’s shifting the old saying “It’s about who you know” into “Get to know.” We want to remove the barriers so that the right people can always find each other.

The Final Word

As Kernections takes the stage at Digital Divas 2025, it’s more than just an app launch. It’s a story about African founders solving African challenges in a way that can scale globally. At this year’s summit, every ticket holder will get access to Kernections, ensuring that every connection, conversation, and collaboration has a chance to spark something bigger.