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22 September 2022 17:00-18:30Innovation City Cape Town

Biodata: What is it worth?

Why is it that others can polish off an entire braai and follow it up with malva pudding without putting on any centimetres, while a simple slice of toast is your personal downfall?

As we get ready to celebrate Heritage Day in South Africa, have you considered your own heritage and the DNA which has been passed down to you?

The decoding of the human DNA sequence has been one of mankind's greatest breakthroughs and we can now detect potential issues with one's health so that you can manage it better and not be inundated with "advice" from all and sundry.

Biodata is fast becoming a money-making commodity. Ethical or not, the biotech industry has produced some amazing products and services that the human race stands to benefit from. We unpack what it is, its appeal to funders, and the ways businesses are taking biotech to market.

Join us at 5pm September 22nd to find out what your biodata is worth.

All you need to know

What: Taking Biotech to Market

When: 22nd September, 2022

Time: 5pm-6:30pm

Where: Innovation City Cape Town

Details: Biodata is fast becoming a money-making commodity. Ethical or not, the biotech industry has produced some amazing products and services that the human race stands to benefit from. We unpack what it is, its appeal to funders, and the ways businesses are taking biotech to market.


Register now

Speakers

Gert van Wyk
Founder: Biocertica

Gert has been fortunate to have lived a life where his career and passion align. Over the span of his career, he has lived a thousand lives, intrinsically having a deep connection to what actually drives markets: emotions.

As a previous hedge fund manager for Sanlam, he decided to change his path from corporate investments to genetic technology. He started BioCertica as he wanted to become part of the difference the world needed, and his choice led him to the code of life: DNA, the past and future of all humankind. A place where he can be of service and empower others to take charge of their own stories.

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Frederick Rickers
CEO: BioFITT Wellness

Life is about more than spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations and meetings. It is about sitting next to a football pitch watching your boys play and the unplanned, spontaneous lunch dates with your wife. It is about appreciating the many beautiful sunsets while going for a run or walking on the beach first thing in the morning. It is about the big things and the small things in life. It is about making a lasting impression in the lives of each and every single person you interact with.

Now just imagine a life where you no longer have access to this because of an uncontrolled, often preventable condition affecting your quality of life. Scary right?

In 2011 Frederick founded BioFITT Wellness, a leading preventative healthcare company in South Africa with  focus on identifying and managing potential health risks. Through their team of healthcare professionals, they are able to provide high quality, accessible healthcare services to individuals and medical schemes as well as employer groups to address the growing, yet preventable burden of disease affecting the quality of life of so many people.

In addition, he has also pioneered and facilitated the largest home-based service model for medical aid members (active and pensioners) in both the banking and automotive industries in South Africa, where thousands of employees are given access to a spectrum of healthcare services to identify any potential risks. Of more importance, the company  also manages those with uncontrolled conditions more effectively, using technology (digital platforms developed) as well as various other service delivery models.

Through the use of the human touch, digital platforms, point of care devices and healthcare data collected from various other sources, the company has truly established themselves as a key player in providing individuals with truly personalised healthcare experiences.

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Arno Smit
Founder - FundedByMe

Arno is a 3rd time startup founder. Previously he worked in Australia, where he founded a multisided platform connecting buyers and sellers in the aviation industry.

In Sweden he co-founded FundedByMe, a multisided platform connecting investors and entrepreneurs which was eventually listed on the stock market in 2018 and recently acquired by Pepins.

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Marietjie Engelbrecht
Head of Marketing, Cape Innovation & Technology Initiative

Marietjie was born and raised in Gauteng and completed her studies in Behavioural and Environmental Sciences, with a major in English at the then University of Potchefstroom. Starting her career in the biggest direct marketing company in South Africa at the time, she helped launch a number consumer products that became house-hold names in South Africa and also starred in an infomercial or two. 

It was her experience in the finance, asset management and investment industry that convinced her to use her talents for good (cause-driven work) and she started a journey spanning 21 years, including a move to Cape Town, dedicating herself to helping organisations within education, science, health and nature conservation to communicate their causes, gain buy-in from stakeholders and change the behaviour of the public. 

In 2019 Marietjie’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to CiTi and the mission of building an inclusive future-fit African society meant it was love at first sight! Marietjie loves building brand awareness and amplifying the impact of the organisation on an already vibrant tech ecosystem in EdTech, BioTech, digital skills and entrepreneurial development, especially in the township and rural areas.

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