Global Entrepreneurship Week: Building together for a better tomorrow

EVERY year, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) invites us to pause and reflect on the ecosystem we are collectively building.

- Bernadette Bule and Boitumelo Kodisang

It's easy to get caught up in programmes, reports, and events, but GEW challenges us to ask a deeper question: Are we truly creating a world where entrepreneurs can thrive?

This year's theme, Together We Build, couldn't be more timely. The momentum leading up to GEW in both Cape Town and Johannesburg showed just how much building has already begun. It all started in Cape Town from 8 to 10 November, where energy around technology and entrepreneurship ignited dynamic conversations.

The AI-Driven Hackathon and AI Forum led by our organisation, set the stage for discussions that were practical, forward-thinking, and grounded in real-world impact.

AI is not just another buzzword; it is a transformative force that can reshape startups through task automation, enhanced customer experiences, and innovation in healthcare, education, and logistics.

For the teams (made up of tech startup, tech students and IT enthusiasts) that participated in the AI Driven hackathon, focused on social and business challenges, showed how AI promises to create opportunities to operate on the scale of larger organisations. Yet, this dialogue was balanced and critical.

Industry leaders that led the panel discussion voiced important concerns about national security, responsible AI adoption, and the need for tools tailored to Africa's unique cultural and linguistic landscape. The core message was clear: technology only matters if it is created for and works for the people who need it most.