The Johannesburg Founder Institute and Microsoft BizSpark have teamed up to help aspiring technology entrepreneurs launch successful new companies in South Africa.
Through this new partnership, promising entrepreneurs in South Africa can participate in the Founder Institute’s world-renowned entrepreneur training program for free (a $595 value). In addition, Microsoft BizSpark’s program can provide these same aspiring entrepreneurs with the technology, support, visibility, and community they need to be successful.
Anyone who is passionate about starting a technology company in Johannesburg is welcome to apply to the Founder Institute at http://fi.co/apply/johannesburg. To take advantage of this free offer, you must complete your application and admissions test by the Final Application Deadline on Sunday, August 4. After that date, the course fee will be $200, still a $300 discount courtesy of Microsoft BizSpark.
“Johannesburg is the Founder Institute’s first African chapter, and we are grateful to have such great support from Microsoft BizSpark,” says Adeo Ressi, Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute. “The barriers to entry for startups everywhere are decreasing, and we are confident that this partnership will help us develop and train the next batch of great South African entrepreneurs.”
The Founder Institute is a 4-month, part-time accelerator program, where aspiring company founders can receive expert training, feedback and support to launch a technology company - without quitting their day job. Based in Silicon Valley, the Founder Institute has launched over 800 companies across 6 continents in just 4 years of operation. In order to be eligible for the Founder Institute and Microsoft BizSpark, interested candidates must apply and get accepted at http://fi.co/apply/johannesburg.
Leading the Founder Institute’s efforts in Johannesburg, are local leaders Keith Jones (Director, Bowside) and Odette Jones (Director, Xanadu Properties). The program has also confirmed many strong mentors to train the aspiring entrepreneurs, including;
- Adeo Ressi, CEO, TheFunded.com
- Alan Burger, CEO/Founder, Infoslips
- Anthony Stonefield, Managing Director, Africa, Gramercy Venture Advisors
- Christoph Sollich, The Pitch Doctor, Startup Consultant
- Elton Bondi, Director/Founder, The Cyest Corporation
- Gareth Ochse, Founder, ValuationUp.com
- Geoff Garrett, CEO, SalesRehab Pty Ltd
- Jonathan Crisp, CEO, IDI Technology Holdings
- Justin Spratt, CEO , Quirk
- Rob Sussman, Joint CEO/Founder, Integr8it Group and Zunguz
- Warren Van Wyk, Director/Founder, Payspace
- And many more to be announced.
Microsoft BizSpark is a global program that helps software startups succeed. With over 45,000 startups from 100 countries in the program and a global network of 2,300 BizSpark partners, Microsoft provides great business value to young technology companies around the world. At no cost, the program provides a wide range of Microsoft technology, technical and business expertise, and enhanced market visibility.
About The Founder Institute
The Founder Institute (www.fi.co) is an early-stage startup accelerator and global launch network that helps entrepreneurs create meaningful and enduring technology companies. Through a part-time four month program, existing and prospective founders can launch their dream company with expert training, feedback, and support from experienced startup CEOs - while not being required to quit their day job. Our unique Graduate Liquidity Pool also enables graduates and mentors to share in the equity upside of each class, creating local, teamwork-based ecosystems where great new businesses can flourish. In just four years of operation, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 800 companies across 42 cities and five continents - making us the world's largest startup accelerator. Our goal is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" by launching 1,000 meaningful and enduring technology companies per year in over 50 cities worldwide.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Microsoft BizSpark
Microsoft BizSpark (www.microsoft.com/bizspark) is a global program that helps software startups succeed. With over 45,000 startups from 100 countries in the program and a global network of 2,300 BizSpark partners, Microsoft provides great business value to young technology companies around the world. At no cost, the program provides a wide range of Microsoft technology, technical and business expertise, and enhanced market visibility. BizSpark Plus is an extension of the foundational BizSpark program providing higher value offerings through a network of leading regional incubators and accelerators around the world. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
