Latest news with #MindPal
Daily Maverick
16-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
SMME Focus — Youth Tech Programme sparks jobs and innovation from code to community
Liquid Intelligent Technologies' programme is equipping young innovators with digital skills, funding and mentorship. From the digital hubs of North West to the townships of the Eastern Cape, young South Africans face a daunting reality. According to Stats SA, youth unemployment reached 62.4% nationally for those aged 15 to 24 in the first quarter of this year. However, the Liquid Intelligent Technologies Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme is equipping young innovators with digital skills, funding and mentorship. Last month, the programme celebrated 20 graduates at Liquid Intelligent Technologies' Johannesburg headquarters. The event featured a pitchathon where four standout start-ups presented their innovations to a panel of industry judges. ProLink, a digital platform connecting users with verified contractors in Mthatha, won the top prize of R100,000 in seed funding and a 12-month business support package. 'We have created employment opportunities by hiring two interns who are actively involved in platform development and community engagement,' said Qhawe Mlengana, chief project director at ProLink. Mlengana added that the startup was founded with the vision of not only connecting clients with certified professionals, but also empowering those in the informal sector who lack formal qualifications. Over the next year ProLink plans to launch their platform and scale their presence across the Eastern Cape. Tracking down livestock theft Other finalists included HerdTrace, which uses GPS-enabled ear tags and health monitoring to combat livestock theft; Otomex Innovations, leveraging AI to address mental health challenges; and The Eye of Tech, focused on expanding digital skills in rural communities. 'We started HerdTrace because we come from communities where livestock isn't just income; it's survival, education and legacy,' said Zusiphe Makeleni, head of marketing at HerdTrace. Makeleni shared the heartbreak of witnessing farmers losing livestock they rely on, with no safety net to fall back on. This growing crisis has also caught the attention of political parties like the DA which highlighted a worrying increase in stock theft across the Eastern Cape. Recent figures show that stock theft cases have risen by 8.5%, with 1,628 incidents reported in the latest quarter alone. For Makeleni, stock theft is more than a crime, 'it threatens education, generational progress and dignity'. HerdTrace addresses this by using GPS-enabled ear tags, tamper alerts, health monitoring and geofencing to give farmers real-time updates and peace of mind. Before joining the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme, the team had passion and a clear problem but lacked the full business picture. The programme helped them to validate their market, sharpen their pitch and build a sustainable business model. Mindful innovation Meanwhile, Okuhle Badli, COO of Otomex Innovations, said their invention of MindPal isn't 'just a tech product'. 'It's a culturally attuned, locally designed mental health platform built for Africa's realities,' he said. Badli added that gaining recognition and funding in the mental health sector had been challenging. To overcome this his team focused on purpose-driven innovation, building partnerships and creating their own pathways through bootstrapping and incubators. MindPal is designed to be flexible and accessible. It also offers offline USSD access and scalable NGO and school partnerships, making it a trusted platform tailored specifically to the needs of African communities. What this means for you If you're a young person with tech ambitions, the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme could be your gateway. The programme runs annually, with applications usually opening around March and April. Announcements are made on the Liquid Intelligent Technologies SA LinkedIn page and through their implementation partner, Deviare. The programme lasts 12 months, followed by an additional 12 months of support for winning entrepreneurs to help them grow their start-ups. Application criteria: Unemployed youth aged 18 to 35. Matric certificate required; tertiary qualification is a plus. An entrepreneurial mindset is essential. Selection includes aptitude testing. Turning challenges into opportunities The programme offers a year-long, MICT Seta-accredited curriculum in artificial intelligence and software development, combined with comprehensive mentorship, business development support and access to funding. Building a tech ecosystem The programme's holistic approach ensures participants not only gain technical skills, but also develop the entrepreneurial acumen necessary to launch and scale their ventures. This includes pre-incubation support, networking opportunities and access to cloud resources through Microsoft's Founders Hub, enabling start-ups to build robust, market-ready solutions. DM
Associated Press
23-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
MindPal.co Launches New Resume Checker & Builder to Boost Job Search Efficiency
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, April 23, 2025 / / -- The San Francisco-based startup offers candidates an advanced AI HR tool that will allow them to pass ATS and increase the likelihood of being invited to an interview. The company has extensive experience in recruiting. So far, its products include solutions for recruiters: Resume Generator, JobMatching, DeepSearch and AI HR Bots, which are gaining increasing popularity. The basic version of the application — We decided to introduce a product line for job seekers now, because we see a problem that too many good candidates are rejected by ATS. This extends the time of the job search, which is now up to 6 months — says Chris Parjaszewski, CEO of — Using our solutions, we want to cut it in half — he adds. In addition to Resume Checker & Builder, MindPal offers its job board, where you can find the best job offers from leading tech companies. The offer for candidates will soon be expanded with job matching, which will suggest the best offers, tailored to the resume. This will increase the efficiency of the process, both for candidates and recruiters. Market data shows that as many as 3/4 of applications do not go through ATS. On the other hand, recruiters spend less than 10 seconds analyzing selected candidatures. This means that candidates have to prepare a perfect resume, which is helped by the tools offered by Currently, a completely new landing page is available where job seekers will find dedicated tools. There are also proposals for recruiters, automating their daily tasks. also offers consulting, which allows you to create individual AI HR solutions for each company. Chris Parjaszewski +1 415-996-9785 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
