ICTworks

At the beginning of 2009, Vinny Lingham put forth the idea of a Silicon Cape – an effort to recreate the success of Silicon Valley by removing the barriers major barriers to South African technology companies:

Silicon Cape Trends Map

1. Punishment for failure
2. Failure to take risks
3. Unavailability of capital
4. Too many consultants
5. Lack of global experience
6. No liquidity events
7. Too much focus on advertising

From that initial recognition, a movement has started to push for recognition of these barriers and ways to overcome them. This movement culminated in a Silicon Cape Social Network that launched on October 8, with much Twittering. But does a social network make a Silicon Valley?

I think we all know the answer to that – it doesn’t. But its a start. You have to recognize there is a problem before you can look for a solution. And you need a shared vision and resources to build the solution to so many problems.

These problems will not be solved overnight. So a social network is a good start. Its definitely a good way to overcome #1,2, & 5 in the list above. By sharing ideas, connections, and reinforcing the communal challenges, I do hope that the Silicon Cape social network inspires more African entrepreneurship.

I just wish there were more than these 5 ways to support it.