DUT ENTREPRENEURS TO COMPETE IN THE 2023 GISU URBAN INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINAL COMPETITION IN ITALY
Four Durban University of Technology (DUT) entrepreneurs, comprising of three DUT staff members and one student, were recently announced as semi-finalists in the 2023 GISU Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Semi-Final Competition. They are now gearing up to compete in the finals of the competition which will be held in Padova, Italy on 09 November 2023.
The theme of the annual competition is Promoting Sustainable Urban Development with Scientific and Technological Innovation, focusing on Science Entrepreneurship.
The student semi-finalist is Zime Nxumalo, a third year Information and Communications Technology student who is the founder and CEO of a start-up company, Zime Wezwe Creatives. Her company is a software development company that specialises in quality website and application development. Nxumalo has been automatically entered into the China International College Students’ “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition which is the world’s largest innovation and entrepreneurship competition for university and college students.
Nxumalo, who has been receiving guidance from the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was ecstatic, since the road to receiving this honour was not easy.
“It has been a journey filled with so much doubt and required resilience but such an international recognition serves as a validation of what I have been working towards. I am grateful to my DUT mentors, Professor Keolebogile Motaung, Director: Technology, Transfer and Innovation and Mr Fanie Ndlovu, the co-founder of Varsity Genie. I believe that a person is only as wise as their experiences, they have both played a very pivotal role in my entrepreneurship journey by shaping my perspective through imparting their wisdom onto me, therefore guiding me in both my business and personal life,” shared Nxumalo.
The three DUT staff members, who own spin-off companies are Dr Nokuthula Mavela, who owns Ewah Cosmeceuticals, Dr Oluwatoyin Joseph Gbadeyan, founder of Joekan (PTY) Limited and Dr Olusegun Ayodeji Olagunju, who is the owner of the company, Zah Biofuels.
Sharing her excitement on being named as one of the semi-finalists in this prestigious competition, was Dr Nokuthula Hloniphani Mavela, from Ewah Cosmeceuticals.
“It is such a great feeling to have the work that I am doing being acknowledged and valued on an international platform. I am really honoured. Through the entrepreneurship mentoring I received from DUT, I have been able to structure and package my business concept so well that it receives much interest,” she commented.
At first, she did not think the concept of the conversion of food waste into therapeutic personal care products, termed cosmeceuticals, would be welcomed, especially when she had started, as most people believed waste should be disposed of. She stated that convincing a person that there was so much value to waste, could be challenging.
DUT’s Dr Oluwatoyin Joseph Gbadeyan could not contain his excitement when he was announced as one of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship semi-final competition winners with his company, Joekan (PTY) Limited.
“It is an incredible moment for us. We cannot find the right words to convey our appreciation for reaching this stage of the competition. It is a vast encouragement for the effort invested in this project and the notification of quality research conducted at this noble University, leading to international recognition. This would not have happened without the mentorship from Professor Motaung,” he replied euphorically
For Dr Olusegun Ayodeji Olagunju, who is the owner of the company, Zah Biofuels, upon being announced as one of the 2023 GISU Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Semi-Final Competition winners, he felt an overwhelming sense of joy and excitement.
“It’s a moment of great pride to see our hard work and dedication being recognised in such a prestigious competition. This milestone serves as validation for our company’s mission, to promote sustainable and eco-friendly biofuels. We at Zah Biofuels are truly grateful for the opportunity and look forward to showcasing our ideas at the next stage of the competition,” he said.
He shared that participating in the 2023 GISU Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was an incredible experience for him and his team at Zah Biofuels.
“The preparation for the initial stage of the competition was intense yet rewarding. It provided an excellent platform to present our innovative ideas and business model to a diverse and knowledgeable panel of judges. Overall, the competition was a challenging but fulfilling journey and we are very grateful for the support and recognition that we received throughout the process,” he commented.
The semi-finalists expressed their gratitude to their mentor, Prof Keolebogile Motaung, Director of Technology, Transfer and Innovation at DUT and thanked her for sharing her extensive experience and deep understanding of the innovation landscape.
Prof Motaung expressed how proud she was of herself and the innobiz DUT team.
“We have made it again. This is making history at DUT. Congratulations to 2023 GISU Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Semi-Final Competition Winners. Well done to Zime Nxumalo (Start-up semi-finalist winner) and to Dr Joseph Gbadeyan, Dr Olusegun Olagunju and Dr Nokuthula Mavela (Spin-off semi-finalist winners), you all continue to raise the DUT flag so high. Out of seven companies we entered into the competition, four have made it. Well done innobiz DUT,” added an excited Prof Motaung.
Pictured: Semi-finalist winners of the GISU Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship competition, Zime Nxumalo, Dr Nokuthula Mavela, Dr Oluwatoyin Joseph Gbadeyan and Dr Olusegun Ayodeji Olagunju.
Simangele Zuma