Tshimologong, the recently launched Digital Innovation Hub in Johannesburg's inner city, has received millions in contributions from reputed multinationals and South African ICT companies.

Ten strategic founding partners have ploughed upwards of five million rands each into the newly built precinct which plans to incubate high-tech startups, commercialise research and develop high-level skills among students, working professionals and unemployed youth.

Cathy Smith, Managing Director at Cisco Systems Southern Africa explained why the global IT company is championing the establishment of Tshimologong, along with the likes of Microsoft, IBM, Telkom, MMI Group and Teraco/KMJ Services.

"The way we see this is as a contribution to help us accelerate the development of education so that we can help South Africa compete in the global economy. The beginning of that is allowing there to be digital infrastructure that allows people to research, to do innovative projects, to build skills and capability, and in so doing build new businesses so that we can foster growth in our economy, bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and really find a way to help South Africa, Africa and the rest of World."

Smith adds that the need for skills is particularly important to Cisco and that this influenced the decision to back the project.

"Skills development is the core of what Cisco looks at in terms of giving back, because for us it is the most sustainable way of us demonstrating our commitment and investment to any country. In Africa we run almost a thousand network academies across the continent in different countries, depending on the needs and the initiatives that happen we will make sure that we partner and get involved. It just so happens that in South Africa the University of the Witwatersrand has been forward thinking and leading edge in terms of finding initiatives like this which they could develop."

Barry Dwolatzky, Professor of Software Engineering in the Wits School of Electrical and Information Engineering says Tshimologong will improve on- and add to the number of social and working spaces, learning and meeting spaces, makerspaces and digital content space over time.

Prospective members or sponsors can secure part of a space at a fee of R1500 per month in order for the venue to becoming self sustainable, according to Prof. Dwolatzky.

He added that up to 400 members can be accommodated at the precinct at its official opening. "This is an important beginning for the ICT sector in our country and the context of it is digital. The clear focus is digital and if you think that restricts how we think it is important to understand how digital permeates everything and underpins everything. It will cover digital software, digital hardware and content."

Dwolatzky says the University has not contributed money to the The Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct and it is funded by donors on the whole.

The innovation precinct also enjoys support to the tune of more that five million rands from the Gauteng Province Department of E-Government, City of Johannesburg, Airports Company of South Africa and the Technology Innovation Agency.

The project has set itself the grand goal of rejuvenating the old and often derelict Johannesburg inner city area in partnership with the government and government agencies.

Canada's Ryerson University is also making its contribution by sharing lessons from its five-year old incubator programme, the Digital Media Zone which claims to have created more than 256 startups and raised more than US$184 million in seed funding since its inception in 2010.