Representatives of the German Federal State of Brandenburg were impressed with South Africa’s technological potential and opportunities as they attended a delegation event in Cape South today.
Organised by the South African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the event programme included sessions by WESGRO, Cape IT Initiative (CITi), Silicon Cape and startup accelerator 88mph.
Investigating possibilities of collaborative projects and partnerships to supply solutions for specific business needs, the visit aims to establish cross-continental relationships.
Speaking to HumanIPO, Kirstin Wenk, deputy head of the Department of International Business and European Services, said: “There are lot of internationally competitive companies and a high level of development and some other branches need to be developed.
“In general I have a very positive feeling about being here… there is a lot of potential in the space.”
Wenk organised the trip, which kicked off in Cape Town in May 12 and will be moving on to visit Durban before returning to Germany on May 17, in collaboration with the chamber.
Thomas Kallenbach, assistant to region representative at the chamber, said: “There are a lot of things in Europe that could help Africa and also the other way around. That is why they should combine, like [with] this delegation here.”
Sarah Schumacher, a German M.Sc. student at Fraunhofer IBMT, explained to HumanIPO the main differences between the German and South African startup scene, with the latter “much more help-[orientated]”. In contrast, German startups are offered free office space to help in the running of businesses.
“Here there are way more opportunities despite being a difference in technology of a first world country,” Michael Kichbaum, South African-based Austrian Masters degree student at the University of Stellenbosch, commented on his experience of difference between the continents.
According to Peter van Heyningen, project leader at the Stellenbosch Innovation District, “there is a huge opportunity of SA to be involved in the collaboration platform to enter African markets”.
He explained: “Africa, in a way because it is so underdeveloped, is a blank canvas, which means that we don’t have to go the conventional way.”
Van Heyningen delivered his speech at the event on the infrastructure development opportunities for South Africa and the African continent through co-innovation.
Wenk is positive about a second visit to South Africa, with special interest in design collaborations based on the business encounters so far.
