Excitement has been building for #cocreate2ACCELERATE 2017 after a successful introduction of the programme in 2016. The initiative of the Netherlands Consulate General in Cape Town will see the building of relationships between high-potential young companies from the Netherlands and South Africa, leading to international partnerships and expansions. Startups have high potential to create real change in the world and it is therefore essential to help them scale internationally in order to reach their full potential.

This year, #cocreate2ACCELERATE will include a long programme based on a rigorous process aimed at matching companies from both countries within specific vertical sectors to actively collaborate in the solving of identified challenges. The short programme will accompany this process and is aimed at introducing Dutch companies to the Cape Town startup ecosystem.

With this year’s focus on Edutech, Fintech, Agritech, Healthtech and Bluetech, the programme will welcome the following start/scale-ups:

Short programme: Dutch participants

Long programme: South African and Dutch participant partnerships

In true #cocreateSA style, Startup Safari from South Africa and Dutchbasecamp are working together to provide training, mentorship, coaching and bootcamps to assist Dutch and South African companies in achieving the goals. Isabel Brouwer, Dutch BaseCamp Director says, ”The program is unique because it is hands-on and gives participants a real understanding of what it takes to scale to South Africa”.

Consul General Bonnie Horbach is passionate about creating connections between the Dutch and South Africans and says, “The focus is to support Dutch businesses in South Africa by establishing relevant connections between South African and Dutch partners. We encourage Dutch businesses to adopt the #cocreateSA approach and build and invest in long-term relationships and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.”

The successful participants will be given the opportunity for international and local media exposure through the Dutch Consulate’s vast media network across multiple platforms in addition to participating at Africa’s prime startup event, the Innovation Summit , taking place between 6-8 September 2017.

For more information on #cocreateSA or media enquiries, visit www.cocreatesa.nl or contact Micheline Frantz at 078 417 2449 or email michelinefrantz@gmail.com