Pub@Hub networking event
You will recall that members of the "INNOV8" community were invited to gather on Wednesday, 11 December, for a year-end drink and snacks at The Innovation Hub's first "Pub@Hub" networking evening, which aimed at bringing together leading lights of the local Innovation, Knowledge and Expertise Economy.
Well, I am really happy to report that the consensus view is that the first event - although organised relatively late in the day - was a real success.
We succeeded in attracting a fantastic cross-section of high-tech role-players, from big gorillas to small start-ups, together with current leaders in their industries, venture capitalists, media, and, by combining two categories, even a wealthy old bugger!
The feedback from those who attended was overwhelmingly positive - with a number of people continuing to provide me with real business "success stories" that resulted from the evening - either in the form of actual business being conducted, or beneficial relationships being established: proving without doubt that "Pub@Hub" is indeed destined to become a place "where winning business connects"!
 |
| Sponsor of the main prize for the Hub's first Pub@Hub networking event, James Grcic of Computer Storage Services Inc, seen here flanked by the happy winner, Dave Lockwood of Naledi 3D Factory (left) and Dr Neville Comins, CEO of The Innovation Hub (right). |
On the basis of that, I am pleased to report that "Pub@Hub" evenings have just become regular events - the plan being simply to provide a place for creative, innovative and entrepreneurial souls to hobnob with industry leaders and tech sector "movers and shakers" (information about the next event will be circulated shortly).
Through such networking functions, it is my goal to bring together - in an informal setting conducive to relationship and trust building, information sharing, and, ultimately, collaboration - both those who control public investment funds and those with private investment capital, with those responsible for generating new ideas and new patents - as well as all who form part of the whole innovation value chain in between!
What was most encouraging about the first event, though, was the willingness of so many companies to get involved at a sponsorship level. (In fact, in order not to appear as a boozy lot, we even deferred the sponsored prize from "The Wine Room" to the first event of this year!)
A collective "thank you" to South African Breweries for sponsoring the "runner-up" prize of two cases of beer; to Connexity Publishing for making available to all who attended the wonderful copies of Convergence and the SA e-Enterprise Map; and to Computer Storage Services Inc for so generously sponsoring our (really) grand prize of the evening, an all-singing, all-dancing Pentium 4 Personal Computer with the latest Microsoft XP Professional release valued at R7650.00. Although a small company, CSSI have clearly set the benchmark: and I think we now need to create a challenge to the "biggies" to better or equal their generosity. On behalf of the whole "INNOV8" community, thank you again to James and his team (who can all be viewed on the CSSI website!)
If you would like join us at the next "Pub@Hub" networking evening, please email innov8@theinnovationhub.com
Contact
Martin J. Yuill
Enterprise Support & Networking Manager
Tel: +27 12 349-0387
Fax: +27 12 349-0322
E-mail: myuill@theinnovationhub.com
[Back to top]
|
