About 2 months ago, I started curating a weekly newsletter called “The Startup Digest” which lets Capetonians (and visitors to Cape Town) know what events are happening for those interested in the Tech space. And week after week I’m disappointed by how few events there are to bring everyone together for information sharing, knowledge, fun and networking.

On a good week, there are 5 events - most weeks there are FAR less!

So it was good to meet a number of organisations that are looking to turn that around.

The iPlex (which is shared office space in a relaxed vibey setting) has hosted a number of events in their short time since launching, and their next one is right up my alley. They’re hosting a debate between myself and Daniel Guasco (the co-founder of Twangoo, the local daily discounts site, which was acquired by Groupon) on whether the the tech community in Cape Town is “thriving or kicking & screaming”! Great to see them being proactive…

Click Here to reserve your free ticket to the “Great Debate”.

The Fringe (an initiative of the Cape Town partnership) is looking to turn the area around Harrington street into a thriving creative hub over the next few years. Their vision is to attract creative & tech companies into the area, together with coffee shops, and plenty events. When I was living in San Francisco earlier this year, I’d sit in a Starbucks (or Peets coffee - the local alternative to Starbucks) and all around me would be the energy & passionate chatter of tech & creative enthusiasts. When I painted this picture to them, they said that was exactly the vision they had for the area.

Will the vision of Cape Town turning into a Silicon Cape become a reality? Thanks to the iPlex & the Fringe, we’re a step closer…