The Entrepreneurship I Solution Space portfolio is a gateway to entrepreneurship, innovation, and applied research. Positioned at the intersection of business and academia, we connect ideas, people, and practice—bridging historic divides through learning spaces at the V&A Waterfront and in Philippi, at the heart of an actively engaged local community.

At Solution Space, we believe innovation flourishes when African entrepreneurs are empowered to drive change in their communities through entrepreneurship. Our commitment to this vision is unwavering. We provide founders and innovators with access to the resources they need to succeed, including corporate partners, mentors, advisors, co-working spaces, expert speakers, and strategic partnerships. We exist to inspire, nurture, and equip entrepreneurs—and we know that innovation thrives through collaboration.

Our goals are to:

  • Empower entrepreneurs and founders through skills development, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and access to strong professional networks
  • Support high-impact, early-stage start-ups by providing resources, advisory support, and pathways to growth and sustainability
  • Build innovation capacity within individuals, organisations, and corporates through applied learning and experimentation
  • Bridge academia, business, and communities by translating research into practice and creating inclusive spaces for collaboration
  • Strengthen South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly by supporting African entrepreneurs and community-rooted innovation
  • Foster collaboration and partnership across sectors to enable innovation that drives social and economic impact
     
hfsa

Healthy Futures South Africa

Working alongside the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Solution Space believes health entrepreneurship can help tackle Africa’s health challenges.
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philippi village

Philippi Immersion Programme

Solution Space is committed to fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, where students and entrepreneurs have the chance to access local insights, share their skills and knowledge, and make a tangible impact on local businesses.
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developer

Philippi Developer’s Programme

This programme, which is coordinated by Solution Space, run by Shaper, and funded by ayoba, aims to identify motivated young people from local communities with a raw talent for web and software development, offering them an opportunity to t
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etrack

E-Track Programme

Run in partnership with ayoba, the E-Track Programme is a two-phase early-stage venture acceleration and capacity-building programme for high-impact entrepreneurs in South Africa and beyond.
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changemaker

Changemaker Programme

Changemaker programme is a two-month interactive social entrepreneurship programme for young people, not in formal education, training, or employment, offered by the University of Cape Town's Bertha Centre.
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