The world’s top annual gathering of senior IT executives is planning something new for the Cape Town leg of the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo Africa 2015, taking place at the International Convention Centre (CTICC) 28-30 September.

“This year we’re calling on African tech startup companies who have something unique to offer our enterprise clients, to enter the Aspiring Innovators programme” explains Jeffrey Mann, Gartner Research Vice President and chair of the event.

The aim of the programme, says Rene Jacobs, Managing Director of Gartner Africa is to support African startup technology while giving Gartner’s clients access to innovative local technology solutions. “Gartner analysts follow technology and help customers find and apply it, no matter where it comes from,” says Jacobs.

Over three days, more than 1000 CIOs and senior IT executives will engage with peers, Gartner analysts and industry leaders on how to seize digital opportunities, take them from theory to practice and become indispensable IT leaders in the new, digital world of business.

Who can apply?

Gartner is looking for early-stage startups* that meet the following criteria:

●     Your product or solution supports B2B or corporate B2C use cases (we are not looking for purely consumer products)

●     Your product or solution is in production or beta, with at least two customers

●     Your company has fewer than 50 employees

●     Your company is based in Africa

If you meet these criteria, you can apply before March 24 by sending your contact details, a ‘company CV’ and a short description of why your product is innovative to AspiringInnovators@gartner.co.za

Gartner research analysts will select the successful applicants who will get the opportunity to showcase their business and its solutions in front of an engaged audience of senior IT decision-makers. They will also receive space in a shared sponsored ITxpo stand where delegates can come and meet them.

* Subsidiaries of, or products developed by large companies are excluded, as are Gartner customers and prospects.

Sponsorship and speaking opportunities

Various sponsorship and speaking opportunities are available for Gartner Symposium/ ITxpo Africa 2015, including a sponsorship of the Aspiring Innovators Programme. The Aspiring Innovator corporate sponsor will have the exclusive opportunity to align their brand with these innovations and show support for African startup technology companies. If you are interested contact Laura Meintjes at laura.meintjes@gartner.co.za or on +27 11 803 4706.