Startup conference Net Prophet announces dates and lineup

Africa’s premier technology startup conference, Net Prophet, is back and taking place on 12 May at Mutual Park in Cape Town. In just two years, Net Prophet has established itself as the biggest technology startup event on the South African calendar. The stellar line-up of speakers, most of them successful entrepreneurs themselves, will share, inspire and equip other entrepreneurs across Africa to promote a technology rich culture.

Net Prophet 2011, hosted by the non-profit RAMP Foundation and supported by Platinum sponsor, Old Mutual, maintains an ‘open source’ philosophy by offering the conference as a free to attend event.

In Rob Gilmour, Director of the RAMP Foundation’s, own words: “The web itself was built on the power of free knowledge and access. Providing a conference of this calibre free of charge is a continuation of this philosophy, and demonstrates that we are dedicated to real change.” The event is in its third year and is fast making South Africa the hub for connecting innovative African startups.

Added to the list of world-class speakers, this years event will also display Optimal Energy‘s innovative technology masterpiece, the Joule. Africa’s first home-made electric car goes into mass production at the end of 2013. Diana Blake, Sales and Marketing Director, Optimal Energy, will take delegates through the highly acclaimed success story of the Joule.

The confirmed line-up of local and international speakers and contributors include:

• Oliver Rippel, CEO e-Commerce MIH Internet, a subsidiary of Naspers, Africa, India, Middle East and Southeast Asia region.
• Permjot Valia, founder and CEO of Help with Sales Ltd., Angel Investor and a senior Seedcamp mentor.
• Jon Gosier, designer, software developer, serial entrepreneur, frequent speaker at TED, founder of Appfrica and currently a director for SwiftRiver at Ushahidi.
• Rapelang Rabana, co-founder and CEO of Yeigo Communications, Global Head of R&D.
• John Waibochi, CEO of Virtual City, a mobility solutions provider in Kenya, winner of the Nokia $1m Growth Economy Venture.
• Jason Xenopoulos, founder of VWV Interactive, feature film director and currently CEO of Native.
• Diana Blake, Director sales and marketing, Optimal Energy, South Africa’s first electric car manufacturer.
• Branko Brkic, founder and editor of The Daily Maverick.
• Seth Rotherham, founder and editor, 2oceansvibe Media Group.
• Vinny Lingham, globally acclaimed entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Yola.
• Richard Mulholland, renowned speaker, strategist and creative thinker, founder of Missink Link and co-owner of Thunklabs.
• Gustav Praekelt, a passionate advocate of the idea that mobile technology should be available to all, founder of Praekelt Digital and the Praekelt Foundation.

Says Jack Kruger, head of digital, Old Mutual “We believe that knowledge and experience equates to wisdom – which should be shared freely to inspire people to do great things. The Net Prophet conference delivers a wealth of wisdom, and has become a premier event on the South African digital calendar. We’re privileged to support an initiative that plays such an important role in fostering the growth of our online industry.”

Net Prophet 2011 takes place on 12 May at Mutual Park in Cape Town. To register and view any additions or changes in the speaker line-up, please visit our website.