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ADVERTORIAL: ViGO CEO to empower business owners

Only a year ago ViGO’s new CMS compelled the industry to reconsider the status quo. Now, after what has already been a fantastic start to 2014, ViGO is proud to announce that Carl Wallace, CEO, has been selected by an initiative of the World Economic Forum to be a Global Shaper.

Global Shapers lead now, for the future

Global Shapers are selected on the basis of their achievements, leadership potential and commitment to make a difference. Shapers are highly motivated individuals who demonstrate great potential for leadership in society.  

Professor Klaus Schwab, World Economic Forum founder and executive chairpeson, says, “We are becoming increasingly aware that solutions to our global challenges must purposefully engage youth, at all levels – locally, regionally, nationally and globally. This generation has the passion, dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit to shape the future.”

Wallace’s vision of creating a tool that will empower thousands, perhaps millions, of Africans has been realised through ViGO – an intuitive online platform that helps SMEs both build a web presence and grow their business.

Says Wallace, “We have to reduce the 80% failure rate of start-up businesses because this failure rate means the loss of human and livelihood potential – and that’s incredibly detrimental to our economies and our nations.”

As a Global Shaper, Wallace now has access to some of the most influential and aspiring young leaders around the world to help him on his mission to empower Africa.

Through the Global Shapers Community, Shapers are provided with opportunities to connect with the worldwide network of Global Shapers, to network with other World Economic Forum communities and to represent the voice of youth at World Economic Forum events.

Wallace says, “Sustainable and ongoing development and growth is possible in Africa, especially with education and access to the internet. And ViGO is right there, present on both fronts.”

Now you can use your phone to build your website

Wallace talks about ViGO’s latest development, designed with Africa in mind.

He says, “We have a fresh responsive approach to some of the grand challenges in Africa. Most people don't have tablets, laptops or PCs, but there is around 98% mobile penetration in certain parts of the continent.

"Our new ViGO mobile app now allows users to create beautiful websites in minutes from any mobile device. And, in so doing, we empower African business owners with new ways to get online and reach out beyond their previous limitations.”

Investing R100m to create opportunities for unemployed youth

ViGO is also in the process of partnering with various organisations to implement an education platform where young, unemployed people are trained on how to create websites with ViGO using very little resources. These youth will be able to use ViGO and become skilled micro-entrepreneurs that provide valuable and affordable services to the SMEs of Africa.

“We’ve calculated that we’ll be investing what amounts to R100m over the next two years to provide this opportunity to SMEs and biz start-ups throughout Africa. We’ve partnered with Microsoft on their Biz4Afrika initiative and are currently negotiating with companies like Vodacom, MWEB and Nedbank to turn this vision into reality.
 
“We are passionate about the small business environment and we stand 100% behind the entrepreneurs of this continent to turn Africa into the jewel it is destined to become. The future of Africa lies not in the hands of governments, but in the hands of our entrepreneurs.”  

ViGO currently offers a 28-day free trial, so feel free to sign up for myViGO and try it yourself. Be prepared to be amazed.

 - Sponsored

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