What we do

We initiate (ie identify, create, source funding for and monitor the progress and success of) projects that meet our mission and objectives (hence the name Cape IT "Initiative.") Typically our projects are implemented by a CITI subsidiary, The Bandwidth Barn (BWB), or the project implementation is outsourced. From 2010 we also intend to raise funding for and co-create projects with other ICT industry bodies as we believe that the depth and breadth of the challenge we face as an industry requiries increased co-operation and collaboration, and the pooling of resources, to solve our common problems together.

Our mission is to stimulate and support the growth, promotion and transformation of the ICT cluster in the Western Cape (in collaboration with government, business, academia and other stakeholders.) CITI was the first cluster development body in South Africa and we have extensive experience and successes in this regard.

What we look for are projects with the potential to:

• Create, grow and develop ICT startups and existing businesses (Many of these projects are implemented through a CITI subsidiary, the Bandwidth Barn business accelerator)
• Address ICT skills and experience shortages (Again, many of these projects are implemented by the Bandwidth Barn)
• Accelerate transformation in the ICT industry
• Develop and promote the ICT cluster, by hosting industry round-tables, publishing news updates and success stories, and by enabling opportunities for ICT companies, startups, entrepreneurially minded individuals, government, academia and other stakeholders to collaborate and cooperate to address common problems
• Provide good quality research and information on the ICT sector in the Western Cape (In 2007, for example, we commissioned a Cape ICT Census.)

Many of our projects are funded by The City of Cape Town and The Provincial Government of the Western Cape, as well as by private and industry funders and sponsors.

Projects that have been initiated by CITI include the following:

• The Bandwidth Barn (BWB) (www.bwb.org.za)
  The BWB is a subsidiary of the Cape IT Initiative (CITI). It started as an ICT incubator in 2000 and is now widely recognised as the most successful IT incubator in South Africa, and has morphed into a fully-fledged Business Accelerator. A key element of this success is that the Bandwidth Barn supports companies by practically reducing the cost of overhead services through its shared office environment while also providing networking opportunities for entrepreneurs. More importantly, the Barn offers business development programmes (funded through CITI) to equip both tenants and other entrepreneurs in the ICT sector with all the skills required to move from startup to profit-generating stable companies. The BWB's most recent programme is the Accel Business Development Programme.
• My Mentor Project
  The My Mentor project has been running since 2005. It is targeted at ICT entrepreneurs who have developed valuable technology or business concepts and need help to to translate them into well funded, successful businesses. This programme provides both personal and professional support. During the lifetime of the project (to September 2009) 56 companies have graduated from this programme, and 98% of these are still in existence. In combination, these companies have grown their annual turnover by 41% (from R130.9m to R222.2m). They have increased their number of full-time employees by 14% from 382 to 435 and increased their number of part-time employees by 22%.
• VeloCITI
  The VeloCITI project has been running since 2005. It is aimed at young ICT entrepreneurs who are prepared to re-assess their business model in order to position themselves for growth. Through participation in the programme, entrepreneurs receive a clear understanding of the current flaws in their business model and got hands-on assistance in reworking those models, or fixing the flaws. Since 2005, 40 companies have graduated from this programme, of which 83% are still in operation. In combination, these companies have grown their annual turnover by 191% (from R9.15m to R26.7m) and increased their number of full-time employeees by 89% (from 64 to 121). Part-time employment has increased by 118%.
• Women in ICT (WIICT)
  This programme assists women ICT business owners to grow their businesses and build their contacts.
• Youth in ICT
  This roadshow aimed at getting learners to pursue ICT careers, and also to bridge the skills gap in ICT, specifically amongst Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDI) learners.