New partnerships, awards, and ecosystem development – here’s what happened at Specno in 2023
2023 has come and gone, and, while there was just as much growth as in previous years, our half-decade year (yes, we turned 5!) was marked by a certain level of refinement – not just growing but also “growing up” as it were.
From startup 5 years ago to scale up by year 4, 2023 is perhaps the year we cemented Specno as a name you’re going to be hearing a lot of well into the future.
Here’s why…
After five years of self-sustained growth, Specno has entered a strategic partnership with QGroup. This collaboration is a significant step in Specno's ambitious plan to expand into 100 cities over the next five years.
With a track record of investing in 36 agencies over the past decade, QGroup joins as a minority partner in Specno's South African branch, unlocking access to over 850 consultants and connecting Specno with industry giants like Facebook, Sony, and Spotify.
The deal opens doors to teams all over the world. Specno aims to leverage the partnership to tackle bigger projects in corporate innovation and venture building, offering new services to QGroup's clientele.
We celebrated its 5th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in our journey of tech innovation. The celebration included a birthday dinner at our office, reflecting on our journey and envisioning the future.
From bootstrapping to sustainable growth, and surviving the pandemic to achieving numerous business milestones, including raising capital, we decked out Specnites in awesome limited-edition T-shirts and remain focused on many more years of technological excellence and innovation.
Though Specnites have over the last five years played a vital role in cultivating a culture that reflects values and behavioural norms pivotal to our success, expanding into the global market meant evolving and redefining our core values to resonate with our new phase of growth and international presence:
Specno was honoured with the 'Modern Work Shaper' award, which highlights our commitment to revolutionary workplace initiatives, influencing not only our workflow but also inspiring other companies.
Our award-winning culture includes innovative work methods, complimentary in-house dining, wellness support, physical activity initiatives, flexible hours, and a hybrid work model – all contributing to our standout status in modern work dynamics.
Specno was named both a Clutch Champion and a Global winner, placing us in the top 10% of companies worldwide. This double accolade from Clutch is a testament to our team’s expertise and our unwavering commitment to quality, earning us global recognition for our exceptional work.
Our Co-Founder, Jacques Jordaan, was named in Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 for 2023, an incredible honour that underscores his significant contributions and leadership in the industry.
We've had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with a range of leading brands, consistently delivering five-star service across various sectors. Among our noteworthy partnerships, we've worked with Ackermans, a prominent South African retail company, providing a significant UX/UI facelift to their website. This project, a testament to our expertise in digital transformation and design, resulted in a remarkable boost in overall conversions, underscoring the impact of our work.
Our client roster also includes PAXI & PEPCell, Spark UK, Momint, and Tiger Trucks, each representing different industries but unified in their quest for digital excellence. These partnerships highlight our versatility and ability to tailor our services to meet diverse client needs, always with a focus on innovation and user experience.
In addition to our client-focused projects, we've also embarked on a journey of self-improvement by redesigning our own website. This revamp is more than just a cosmetic change; it's a reflection of our commitment to staying ahead in the digital realm, embodying the very principles of innovation and cutting-edge design that we advocate and implement for our clients.
At Specno, fostering a robust workplace culture and team spirit is a top priority, and our series of "After Graft Draughts" events hosted by different departments have been a testament to this commitment. These events are not just about unwinding after work; they're a celebration of our creativity, camaraderie, and collective spirit.
Our department events ranged from roller-skating and go-karting to paintball and artistic sessions at Clay Cafe. These events serve as both a reward for our team's hard work and a way to strengthen our bonds, reinforcing the tight-knit community we've built at Specno.
Our annual company getaways are cherished moments of reflection and bonding. From our first modest gathering to the latest one at ATKV Goudini, each getaway has been an opportunity to celebrate our growth and unity. This year was particularly special as it marked our first bi-continental getaway, with Jacques Jordaan in South Africa and Daniel Novitzkas with our Netherlands team.
This year, we asked our team which outreach causes are close to their hearts. The overwhelming response led us to select Salt, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lives through education, nutrition, and well-being. Our team rallied to collect essential sanitary items and groceries like macaroni, rice, and canned food for Salt’s school feeding program. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Salt NPO for their incredible work in bettering the lives of children and families.
In celebration of Youth Day, we were thrilled to welcome a group of teenagers from The Homestead to our office. This non-profit organization works tirelessly to provide services for street children. Our team introduced these young minds to the world of technology and software development, hoping to inspire them with the vast possibilities in this field. A special mention to our software developer, Marlon Demas, who shared his personal journey, and to The Homestead for their invaluable work in creating a nurturing environment for these teens.
Inspired by Nelson Mandela's words, we dedicated our efforts to support The Homestead's Nelson Mandela Day initiatives. We believe in their mission of empowering every child to thrive and achieve their potential. Our participation in the sandwich drive was a small yet significant step in contributing to a more inclusive and equitable world, embodying Mandela's enduring legacy.
We joined hands with Ladles of Love, a non-profit focused on providing nutritious meals to underprivileged communities. Our team assisted in their soup kitchen, serving over 400 homeless individuals. This experience, vividly described in an article by our team member Paulos Tekle-Tsadik, highlighted life lessons on poverty, resilience, kindness, and the ever-turning wheel of life.
Our community hike turned out to be a transformative experience, especially for Vhonani Given Makhokha. Growing up in Thohoyandou and later moving to Gauteng, Vhonani hadn’t experienced a proper hike since high school. Initially hesitant, he joined our community hike up Lion's Head and discovered a newfound love for hiking. This led to regular weekend hikes with a growing group of friends, highlighting the positive impact on physical and mental health.
Our Founder's Den events have been a roaring success, bringing together over 200 tech founders, investors, and corporate innovators. The energy and passion at these events have been inspirational, fostering meaningful connections that drive progress in the tech industry.
In April we had our first Digital Product Event, which saw an incredible turnout and engaging discussions. This was followed in June by our UX/UI design event, attracting over 100 designers and tech enthusiasts for an evening of learning and inspiration. These events are part of our commitment to fostering knowledge-sharing and networking in the tech industry, with a focus on delivering educational value.
Responding to the needs of founders, we've launched an online series covering critical aspects of the entrepreneurial journey, from idea validation to building a team. Our interactive webinars were designed to provide valuable insights and real-world examples, supporting founders at every stage of their venture.
Partnering with and participating in the SA Innovation Summit was a highlight for us. Daniel Novitzkas contributed valuable insights in discussions about funding and venture building, while Jacques Jordaan served as a judge in the Inventors Garage Competition.
Not to mention our exciting exhibition space were Specno’s gourmet popcorn was an instant hit! Our team ensured engaging conversations and a welcoming atmosphere, proving to be an integral part of the summit's success.
In collaboration with the Dutch Consulate General in Cape Town, Invest in Holland network (permanently represented in Cape Town by the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and Oost NL, we hosted an event to celebrate the "Dag van de Ondernemer," bringing together Dutch and South African entrepreneurs.
This event was a celebration of global connections and the beginning of new relationships, highlighting our commitment to growth and international expansion.
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Cheers to 2023 and hello 2024!
For more on what's coming up at Specno, see the tech-enabled future of retail, an in-depth case study on the Amazon omnichannel strategy and find creative ways to pay for your big innovation projects with these unique models for venture funding in retail and how to choose a retail venture funding model.
