Ashley Uys - Real World Diagnostics

In a country that needs to produce more scientists in order to compete in the global academic arena Ashley Uys is an inspiration to all those who meet him. So it comes as something of a surprise that this scientist turned successful businessman is only 25-years-old.

Ashley graduated with a BSC in Biotechnologies with Honours from the University of the Western Cape in 2003 and since then has added business qualifications from both Wits Business School and UCT to his degree.

Following employment as a research assistant at UCT and then as a research-and-development scientist at Vision Biotech, Uys decided to set up Real World Diagnostics in 2006.

The company markets high quality yet cost effective medical test kits for pregnancy, syphilis, malaria, HIV/ Aids and has recently introduced a multiple drug testing kit. The company already serves as a consultant to some police departments and has had huge interest from the army.

He used his initial R125 000 KickStart grant to buy plastic moulds for his pregnancy testing kits as well as some office equipment. His turnover is about R250 000 a month but is growing fast.

So what did Kickstart mean to him? “It gave me enormous exposure and led to many new contracts. The mentorship showed me the structures and systems that you need to have in place because growing and expanding too fast can also be a bad thing.”

Cape Town, Western Cape / 021 442 3784 / 083 261 5492 / info@real-world.co.za / www.real-world.co.za

Antonio Pooe - Exactech

Antonio Pooe is a good man to have around in today’s high-tech world because he just happens to be an expert in fraud detection. This is just one of the young man’s many attributes which also include experience in dealing with reactive computer forensic investigations.

Twenty-nine-year old Pooe has an impressive CV. He is founder and managing director of Exactech. He is also one of the board of directors for The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners SA, an internationally recognised body of professionals in the field of forensic investigations.

Exactech was launched last year and employs four full time staff and four others who work on a part-time basis. The business specialises in technological solutions, which entail undertaking investigations where technology is involved.

Aside from the monetary award, he found that SAB Kickstart encouraged him to go it alone after a tough year trying to break into the market.

Looking into his crystal ball, Pooe sees a rosy future ahead and believes he will become a major competitor in the forensic computing business.

Why he thinks he will succeed? “There are fewer than 10 companies in South Africa involved in this type of forensic investigation. It is really a niche market with specific types of skill.”

Johannesburg, Gauteng / info@exactech.co.za / www.exactech.co.za

Bev Gumbi - Isivuno Containers

Some people pimp their rides. Bev Gumbi does her fabulous thing to shipping containers and it has fast-tracked her to success. The 32-year-old Tongaat business dynamo can customise an ordinary looking steel box and transform it into anything from a hair salon, gym or cutting-edge bakery to a mobile office or shop.

Isivuno Containers, the only black-owned firm of its kind in KwaZulu Natal, boasts an annual turnover of R1.9-million after only two years in business. She currently employs seven permanent staff and grows the team with casual labour according to the workload.

The former teacher takes her burgeoning success in her stride although she admits that it hasn’t always been an easy ride – particularly working in a field dominated by men.After matric Gumbi did a four year degree in home economics at University of Zululand followed by a higher diploma in education. She taught for a short period before joining a NGO as a business development manager. She then worked in marketing before taking the leap and starting her own company.

She used her initial R60 000 KickStart grant to buy more disused shipping containers.
But KickStart has been far more valuable than simply a business cash injection.

What KickStart meant to her business? “The publicity and exposure have been phenomenal. It’s brought in new business as well as reuniting me with people that I’ve lost contact with since high school! The brand exposure has almost outweighed the monetary grant.”

Tongaat, KwaZulu Natal / 083 563 9793 / bev.isivuno@yahoo.com