South African photography startup Virtual Africa believes hard work paid off as their success story continues to grow with its 360 degree Gigapixel imaging business FANCAM.
What started as a conversation with South African rugby player Bobby Skinstad three years ago at a 27dinner has emerged into a world leading high resolution full circle imaging revolution for South African entrepreneurs Tinus Le Roux, Schalk van der Merwe and James Taylor.
HumanIPO reported yesterday, March 4, on the team’s user-focused brand approach.
“Being in South Africa is a massive advantage as we know the adaptability by living with different cultures and also the working ethic,” Taylor told HumanIPO in an exclusive interview in Cape Town.
Le Roux related an episode where one of their clients, an Italian football club, expressed appreciation of FANCAM’s diligence to stay up overnight for an international meeting on Skype.
The soccer World Cup in South Africa in 2010 opened many doors for the country, Le Roux believes.
However, businesses from Japan, for example, seemed a bit nervous of working with South Africans because of negative media reports.
Experiences with the United States have “opened up another world”, according to Le Roux.
He thinks the Americans put a lot more effort into their shows and games and were very keen for FANCAM to capture the experience, or as Taylor said, provide photographic coverage to “relive the memory”.
So far, the company has covered 257 events across nine languages, six continents and 20 countries and worked with global brands such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Manchester United Football Club.
Le Roux said he believes African startups “are not thinking big enough”, and recommends entrepreneurs focus their business efforts on what they are doing best.
Regarding African entrepreneurs, Le Roux believes hard work is what brings success. At least for a three month period, he said, be satisfied with less sleep.
“Forget about startup, build a business,” Le Roux stated. “Make it happen. Ideas are cool, but not practical if you don’t have entrepreneurial motive.”
Taylor deems education as a help, though he feels that learning through experience is essential.
“Put in the effort and use it as a tool to succeed,” he said.
FANCAM co-founders spoke at a 27dinner as social media guest speakers at the February edition of the monthly business, media and tech networking event in Cape Town.
