Lynette Hundermark: Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at Useful & Beautiful
Lynette Hundermark is an established industry expert in the digital and mobile space in Africa. Over the years, Hundermark has made a name for herself in the digital space and has become a recognised thought leader in the mobile space. She co-founded specialist mobile solutions consultancy, Useful & Beautiful, and has a passion for creating great customer experience that harnesses the power of mobile and digital. Hundermark has extensive knowledge of the e-commerce sector, which has seen her being invited to be on the advisory board for the World Retail Congress in Africa.
Geoff Cohen: Co-Founder of &Innovation
Geoff Cohen previously headed up 24.com and is now a partner at & Innovation – a company that partners with new ventures and future-focused companies to drive strategic innovation and deliver impact. Geoff served on last year’s panel and looks forward to rewarding deserving tech and e-commerce businesses at the 2018 awards.
Boitumelo Menyatswe: Ecosystem manager for Silicon Cape
As of early 2018, Boitumelo Menyatswe is the ecosystem manager for Silicon Cape, an NPO that supports the development of high-growth, high-tech businesses in the Western Cape to kick-start meaningful economic growth, build new industries and create jobs. She is also the founder of Minderz, an online platform that helps pet parents find reliable and vetted sitters in their area who can be hired for pet-sitting, pet-boarding, drop-in-visits, and dog-walking services.
Elsamari Botha: Professor Digital Enterprise Management and Digital Futures at the University of Stellenbosch
Dr Elsamari Botha is an Associate Professor in Digital Enterprise Management and Digital Futures at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB). She specialises her research and teaching on Digital Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, Online Consumer Behaviour and is, above all, passionate about making all this technology available to everyone.
Matthew Buckland: South African Internet entrepreneur and businessman who is the founder of Creative Spark
Matthew Buckland is a well-known internet and tech entrepreneur in South Africa. Over the years, Buckland has worn many hats including those of Exco Member of 24.com/New24, the MD of Mail & Guardian Online, Interactive Editor for Carte Blanche, Web Development Producer and Programmer for the BBC (London), and a Web Editor at Times Media. Buckland founded Creative Spark and Burn Media which boasts titles such as Gearburn, Ventureburn and Memeburn in its stable. He is currently a digital marketing, content and development specialist.
Michele Iozzo: Managing Director Middle East & Africa for Criteo
Michele Iozzo is a specialist in sales, key account management and business development for SEM, SEO, display-marketing, social media monitoring and more. In a nutshell, Criteo works with internet retailers to serve personalised online display advertisements to consumers who have previously visited the advertiser’s website. As the MD for the MEA reagion, Iozzo is looking forward to further drive Criteo’s customer-centric commerce marketing solutions in the region to help clients stay competitive and grow.
Bryan Nelson: Sector Lead: Finance, Retail, Travel at Google Africa
Bryan is a Sector Lead at Google for the Africa Finance, Retail, and Travel verticals. His teams help some of Africa’s largest businesses with their digital transformation and adoption of Google technologies. Bryan joined Google in 2011 as a business development manager, responsible for driving projects with partners to grow the internet ecosystem and expand Google’s product offering in South Africa.
Prior to joining Google Bryan was the managing director of a startup focused on low cost laptops; the general manager of products and services for Smile Communications, a VoIP and WiMAX operator in Africa; a senior manager in Technology Strategy for MTN Group; and a managing consultant in technology and high tech for Accenture. Bryan holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering with distinction from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Tom Jackson: Partner at Disrupt Africa
Tom Jackson is passionate about the vibrant tech start-up scene in Africa. He is always looking for the continent’s most exciting new companies and entrepreneurs, funding rounds and any other developments within the growing ecosystem. Jackson has experience as a journalist and specialised in tech and business reporting.
Lindsey Schutters: The editor of Popular Mechanics
Lindsey is the editor of Popular Mechanics, South Africa. With a readership in excess of 32 000, it is one of the biggest men’s interest magazines in the country. At the helm of the title, Lindsey is often at the forefront of the tech news. Lindsey has been writing and playing in the media landscape for over a decade.