International entrepreneurial hackathon initiative StartupBus will make its first trip to Africa, starting its programme in Zimbabwe in November.
The bus will drive 2,500 kilometres from Harare, Zimbabwe to South Africa, visiting entrepreneurial hot spots.
Targeted South African destinations are Beaufort-Wes, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.
From November 17 to 22, 30 entrepreneurs from across the world, as well as international investors will engage on and off the bus during Global Entrepreneurs Week.
African countries represented on the bus include Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.
Following up from StartupBus USA, StartupBus Europe and StartupBus South America ,
StartupBus Africa aims to extend the brand with networking and workshop presenting on the continent to get a grasp of the African market.
“Entrepreneurship cannot be taught, but it can be learned,” StartupBus said.
Entrepreneurs will also pitch their ideas to attendees at the hot spots targeted for visit.
Business ideas are focused around mobile, energy and health, which is considered relevant and essential for providing African solutions.
Investors on the bus will come from Denmark, the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany, among other countries.
Speaking to HumanIPO, South African entrepreneur Stuart Minnaar, said the idea is “for the pillars of Africa to develop [which are] already set in Europe.”
He added: “StartupBus is [also] about putting Cape Town on the map for global entrepreneurs as a success and building up investments.”
