Presentation delivered by Dr Loren Treisman at Mobile Web Africa 2012 in Johannesburg. This presentation focuses on tech innovation hubs, social tech projects in the health, agriculture and democracy space, the impact of both hubs and social projects, with case studies from Indigo Trust's grantees as well as a role for Foundations and the private sector in supporting this work.

1. Dr Loren Treisman
Executive: Indigo Trust

2. • The Indigo Trust is a UK based grant making foundation that funds
technology-driven projects to bring about social change in Africa
• The Trust focuses mainly on innovation, transparency and
citizen empowerment
• We also support innovative tech-driven projects which
support development outcomes in any social sector including
the health, education, human rights and agricultural spheres
• We believe that if people have the ability to access, share
and create information, then they are empowered
to make positive changes in their own lives and communities

3. Hubs are Springing Up Across the Continent

4. And some are cropping up in unexpected places….

5. A Role for Tech Innovation Hubs
• The best solutions to Africa's challenges will be devised by
those affected by them
• Hubs galvanise the tech community, provide high speed
internet, host events & provide training & mentorship to
aspiring entrepreneurs
• Hubs have a catalytic effect on the number and quality of
successful projects and products which can be developed
in-country

6. Can Tech Hubs Achieve Financial Sustainability?
• This Sector is still in its infancy and we have to be patient
• But some business models are emerging……..

7. iHub-Nairobi, Kenya

8. • iHub research
• Memberships fees
• Renting out the space
• Corporate sponsorship and events
• Consultancy
• Jobs Board-biggest in East Africa
• Government and private sector contracts
• User experience lab

9. RLabs-Cape Town, South Africa

10. • Their revenue is R3.4-4 million, 50% from partnerships, 10% from their
services, 10% from investments and 30% from donors/funding-they
break even
• Employ 50 full time staff and 12 part time and have created 264 jobs
directly or indirectly through their hubs and start-ups
• Indigo Trust funded the opening of an Innovation, Incubator and
Accelerator (InnovIA)-6/14 projects generate an income
• Nurtured 12 start-ups from scratch, already achieving 2 exits
generating more than R3Million in income-Jamiix has reached over
2.5 million people
• RLabs have trained 9,113 people in UCT certified courses
• Social Franchising-Living Labs are being developed in other
countries

11. The Impact of Hubs?
• This sector is still in its infancy-local context
• Change doesn’t happen overnight even in
the developed world
• Impact should be phased:
1. The existence of more hubs, hosting more events, raising
awareness of the sector etc should be considered a success
2. How are they surviving? Attracting funds? Generating income?
3. How many projects are emerging?
4. Are they generating impact?
• Expect a high failure rate for product BUT a few
successes can have a massive impact

12. A Case Study: Budgit (Nigeria)

13. Democracy, Transparency and Accountability
• Open Data
• Citizen Participation/Reporting
• Media Strengthening
• Digital Mapping
• Empowering Activists

14. A Case Study: iCow

15. Agriculture
• Extension/information services
• Market Prices
• Insurance
• Link farmers to buyers
• Product authentication
• Mapping and transparency
• Financial Services
• Data Collection
• Integrated Business Solutions

16. Health
• Health information (One World)
• Support (Youth for Tech Foundation, SHM Foundation)
• Alerts (Cell Life, Praekelt)
• Referrals (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)
• Training and Support for Community Health Workers
• Health Service Accountability (CIPESA, WOUGNET, GACC)
• Drug authentication
• Data Collection
• Data Management

17. Are Business Models Emerging?
• Some Projects will require on-going funding whether in the developed or
developing world
• Often transparency projects or public services and goods fall into this
category
• Many social projects can make a profit/become self sustaining
• This can take time, patience, a willingness to take risks & fail fast
• Business models are emerging:
1. Charge end users
2. Freemium/Value added services
3. Advertising
4. Chargeable services-consulting, training
5. Public-Private-Charity partnerships
6. Impact investing

18. The Role of Foundations
• Providing small, high risk grants to not-for-profit & social enterprises
which contribute towards social change at the
early stages
• Enable entrepreneurs to pilot new ideas, room for trial & error
• Preference for locally owned interventions
• Some projects will achieve financial sustainability or make a
profit, others need on-going support
• Multi-year funding
• Advice, access to our networks, leveraging support

19. A Role For The Private Sector
• Businesses could sponsor hubs in exchange for branding or support them
by utilising their facilities e.g. hiring their space for corporate events, hiring
their developers for contracts-branding
• Businesses could provide free internet or phones (for testing) to hubs
• For some projects, well devised business models can be developed
through collaborations between the private sector and social
enterprises/social projects
• Mobile operators and ISP providers could reduce data costs for
social projects or host Apps on their platforms in exchange for
increased market share
• Businesses and Angel investors should consider financing promising
social enterprises once Foundations have funded proof of concept

20. Thanks for Listening
Any Questions?
Dr Loren Treisman
http://indigotrust.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @indigotrust
Loren.treisman@sfct.org.uk