If there is one thing that is quickly becoming clear, it is that opportunities are increasingly plentiful for innovators, particularly for developers.

Just one example of this is the AWS Pop-up loft in Sandton, which opened earlier this month and will be running until the end of March. The local one joins other major cities around the world – such as London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo – and is essentially a free co-working space where visitors can both network and get technical advice from Amazon Web Services (AWS) on a range of topics.

While these include AI and machine learning to cloud security, big data analytics, and building voice-controlled interfaces, the core of the venture offers interested parties direction into how AWS can help boost their business.

Developers in particular will be able to find out more about how AWS services can help them to move forward with their projects. As well, they still have a little more than a week left to book in 1:1, 30-minute sessions with an AWS Solutions Architect who will be able to advise them on anything AWS-related and give them guidance for their projects.

If inspiration is more what they are looking for, then the pop-up loft can oblige on that front too, through a Startup Showcase. This shows fledgling companies how different AWS programmes can help them to scale their business, while keeping costs down. More specifically, participants still have a week to learn from startups including Pineapple and Custos Media Technologies, as well as from well-established enterprises, the likes of Vodacom and Discovery.

Interested participants can sign up for a free Loft membership. As a pop-up loft attendee, this grants them access to the co-working space, and enables them to attend a number of sessions as well as book a meeting with an AWS Solutions Architect. The pop-up loft is open from 10am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Without a doubt, the pop-up loft is a great idea – and hopefully one that will be repeated more regularly – especially in light of the need for innovation and new businesses that move the digital economy forward locally.