Five local inventions which will create a safer South Africa

Five finalists of the Santam Safety Ideas Challenge Season 3 present innovative ideas which have the propensity to create a better South Africa for all.

Earlier this year we looked at JONGA; a cost-effective home security system, invented by Ntsako Mgiba, which aims to improve safety in low-income communities. Mgiba’s ingenious security gadget won the first season of the Santam Safety Ideas Challenge in 2017. Since then, the budding entrepreneur has managed to secure start-up capital and crucial partnerships with investors and development programmes.

The Santam Safety Ideas Challenge, in partnership with LaunchLab – a network of African university campus-based business incubator – exists as an ode to innovation and creativity, pushing the boundaries of resourcefulness, with the promise to promote progressive ideas which seek to better the lives of South Africans. The mission statement is clear:

“Simple, smart ideas have the power to improve the well-being of South Africans.”

This year’s finalists were selected based on their market-readiness at a Showcase Day, which took place on 29 March. With a focus on ideas that help to make South Africa a safer place, the ideas were judged in two categories: mature Fintech and Insurtech startup companies, as well as early-stage safety concept ideas.

Five inventions for a better South Africa

Here are the five companies which have made it to the final of the Santam Safety Ideas Challenge.

Aerobotics SA

A pest and disease management platform providing tree crop farmers with aerial imagery and actionable insights on the health of their orchards and vineyards.

Deep Data

Focuses on real-time video analytics and alerting using deep learning, internet-of-things, and cloud technologies.

FinchatBot

Develops bespoke Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbots to help financial service providers acquire and retain customers.

Virtual Drive

An auto-tech solution in the pre-owned automotive industry, benefiting buyers and sellers by streamlining the process of vehicle trade.

Vizibiliti Insight

Specialises in alternative credit scoring platforms for consumers and companies.

Three early stage inventions with room to grow

In addition to identifying five finalists in the mature business category, the Santam Safety Ideas Challenge also unearthed a few ingenious inventions which need more time and expertise to develop. These three start-ups will receive further assistance from LaunchLab and will, hopefully, in time, contribute to a safer South Africa.

Cloudline

Transforming unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) use cases with autonomous airships.

Machine Kind

Provides driver behaviour insights and advice to first-time car buyers and owners.

Vigeo

A niche insurance provider, targeting communities that are previously not covered or accessible by traditional insurers.

The Santam Safety Ideas Challenge

Santam’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe, has lauded the positive prospects proposed by South Africa’s innovators. With safety and efficiency forming the foundations of the Santam Safety Ideas Challenge, Dilotsotlhe explained the importance of unique problem solving models, saying:

“With increased risk and uncertainty catalysing an array of shared challenges, Santam is committed to giving South Africans the platform and incentive to find Safety Solutions.

With this challenge, we strive to help South Africans safeguard what is important to them by investing in solutions-driven innovations.

This challenge shows promising opportunities to secure a sustainable future and create safer communities while focusing on our core business of providing insurance, good and proper. Our expectations were exceeded by the quality of the pitches and the relevance to our business.”

The CEO of LaunchLab, Philip Marais, echoed Dilotsotlhe’s sentiments, adding that the Santam Safety Ideas Challenge served as a testament to the growth of South Africa’s start-up environment. Marais praised the diversity and ingenuity exhibited by this year’s entrants, saying:

“The quality of the start-ups that pitched in this Showcase Day is an indication of the start-up ecosystem maturity and the opportunity for corporates to engage with local start-ups. We are very pleased that our incubation process has again delivered and exceeded the expectations of Santam.”

Looking ahead

Another Showcase Day will take place in August 2019 at which point one mature start-up and one concept will be selected as the overall winners of the Santam Safety Challenge Season 3 and will be awarded seed funding to assist with piloting with Santam. Altogether 123 entries were received since inception.

About Santam, Insurance Good and Proper

Santam is South Africa’s leading general insurer with a market share in excess of 22%. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the Santam group provides a diversified range of general insurance products and services in Southern Africa and internationally through a network of over 3 600 intermediaries and direct channels. Santam is committed to growing the SME landscape in South Africa and creating an enabling environment to assist SMEs to thrive.

The group’s more than 1 million policyholders range from individuals to commercial and specialist business owners and institutions, including 85 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. The group employs over 6 000 employees and is recognised by its peers as having the most technically competent employees.

Santam’s competitive advantage within South Africa has been entrenched over 100 years by offering its clients a wide range of short-term insurance products that has been scientifically modelled to suit their needs, as well as having the highest claims efficiency in the industry.

About Stellenbosch University LaunchLab

LaunchLab is Stellenbosch University’s start-up incubator, founded for university spin-outs and also incubates start-ups from the start-up ecosystem and partner universities in South Africa and Africa. The LaunchLab facilitates valuable connections for start-ups and corporates and is an initiative of Innovus, Stellenbosch University’s industry interaction and innovation company. For more information, visit www.launchlab.co.za.

This article was paid for by Santam.