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LATEST TECH NEWS: 5 things you need to know today, March 20, 2020
These 5 latest stories from the tech space will keep you updated with trends today.
1. Former Hellocomputer CEO re-enters digital marketing space
After about 8 years of industry silence, former Hellocomputer CEO, Dave Moffat, has, again, launched into the digital economy, introducing into the market a new outsourcing firm, Fierce. Moffat had, earlier in 2012, sold his SA digital marketing agency to NYSE listed IPG in 2012 for undisclosed amount, leading to his supposed hibernation as a public CEO.
The new startup, Fierce, aims to help international clients cut their digital marketing costs by helping these clients outsource work to SA businesses that can provide services such as analytics, strategy, creative production and development. This is Moffat getting back into the industry as a founder and director, acting as a consultant and project manager to international clients.
2. European Commission nurses fears over internet infrastructure strain with increasing remote work
The European Commission has expressed concerns over increasing remote work culture as COVID-19 persists. The commission hinted that the pressure of this measure might lead to internet infrastructure strain. The commission, urged video streaming platforms like Netflix to switch to Standard Mode during the COVID-19 crisis.
The commission claimed that the crisis, as a result of the increasing internet dependant population, puts unprecedented load on Internet infrastructure. According to the commission, “teleworking and streaming help a lot but infrastructures might be in strain.” For this reason, the commission is calling video streaming platforms to switch to Standard Mode (SD) when High Definition (HD) is not necessary.
3. South Africa harnesses tech to facilitate COVID-19 relief programme for SMEs
South Africa’s Department of Small Business Development has launched a web portal to register SMEs affected by the outbreak of CONVID-19. The government launched the web portal to serve as a registration point through which relief fund and business growth or resilience facility can be distributed to assist small businesses that can prove that they have been affected by the coronavirus.
Read also: LATEST TECH NEWS: 5 things you need to know today, March 19, 2020
In a public announcement on Thursday, March 19, Small business minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni noted that the department would provide relief on existing debts and repayments, to assist small businesses during the period of the coronavirus state of national disaster. The minister, however, did not disclose how much would be disbursed to each enterprise, or how much the government had budgeted to this cause.
4. MEST opens call for applications into 3rd edition of its African Challenge
After 2 years of successfully running the MEST African Challenge, the organisation, Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is set to hold the third edition of its MEST Africa Challenge, with $50, 000 as cash prize. According to MEST, the program is designed as a Pan-African pitch contest, and is expected to bring together African tech Startups.
While intending to provide beneficiaries with equity investments, the challenge will showcase some of Africa’s most innovative early-stage startups that are 2 years or less. MEST targets startups in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, with a track record of revenue and potentials of expanding.
5. Tiktok App to donate $3 million to families affected by COVID-19
With persisting worsening health situation globally, social media giant TikTok has announced intent to donate $3 million towards supporting families affected by the outbreak of Convid-19. The donation, according to TikTok will be made as fund support to After-School All-Stars, a charity organisation founded by actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
TikTok entered into this act of philanthropy to feed families whose food security was affected by the close of public schools in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In achieving this, the Chinese media company has promised to send food vouchers and gift cards that can be used across grocery shops to beneficiaries under the After-School All-Stars chapters, catering for food and other essential commodities.
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