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Digital Catapult’s Future Networks Lab Challenge was organised by technology partners Siemens and Arrow Electronics. It provided an opportunity for IoT and 5G startups to pitch solutions to industry challenges. This programme consisted of a two-day innovation sprint, providing networking opportunities between businesses and cutting-edge startups. This enabled businesses to benefit from smaller enterprises’ innovative solutions and knowledge and gave startups such as Sensor IT valuable exposure.  By being shortlisted for this initiative, we again, prove we are advancing in the right direction. This opportunity is of special interest to us because it leads to hopes of our involvement in the Digital Catapult’s Future Networks Lab – something we have been very keen on for quite some time.

The SOFI (Scale Out For Impact) Programme is a Newton Fund, Innovate UK and the TIA (Technology Innovation Agency) led initiative, aiming to create partnerships between companies in the UK and South Africa. This is important as it helps bring about solutions to. disadvantaged communities through innovation and collaboration.  Sensor IT was selected for the programme as part of the UK contingent, and we have partnered with BN Aqua a South African startup. BN Aqua has developed a cutting-edge system that targets the purification of acidic mine wastewater to a stage that will be suitable for drinking or irrigation, and Sensor IT will be responsible for the digitalisation of the system. Hopefully, this partnership will bring a great product to fruition, which we believe will not only add significant value to communities across South Africa, but will also create jobs and upskiling opportunities.

Selected as one of the UK SMEs, Sensor IT participated in the SOFI Project, a co-venture between Innovate UK, Newton Fund and The Technology and Innovation Agency of South Africa.  The SOFI Project, which stands for Scaling Out For Impact will join entrepreneurs and other partners from the UK and South Africa to co-produce and scale innovations that serve low-income communities and rural economies in South Africa to develop shared opportunities. Rather than seeing these communities simply as receivers of assistance, the SOFI Project recognises them as creators of value and innovative new solutions. Ultimately, we collaborated with UK and South African enterprises and communities to drive local economic development and ownership whilst also addressing critical challenges in South Africa.  This was a great opportunity for Sensor IT to expand in a continent that could immensely benefit from technological advances, such as those related to IoT. As a technology provider, we will be contributing by providing expertise and skills to make this a great success story for the UK. Click here to find further information on the project or contact Richard Gonzalez, Sensor IT Director, at richardg@sensorit.co.uk.