An enterprising CEO and Innovation Strategist, offering 15 years’ tech industry experience, including 13 years in management roles. Qualified Agile Scrum Master, Derrick Kotze is experienced in driving agile innovation projects, sustainable search engine/mobile/digital marketing strategies for global industry heavyweights, related technology and strategy consulting with private and public sector and the development of sustainable impact and investment programmes.

As CEO and Executive Director of the Mobile Applications Laboratory (mLab) Southern Africa for the past 5 years, Derrick has facilitated the development of the regional mobile solutions economy, and consulted on numerous mobile innovations and programmes for public and private sector organisations, science councils, and SMMEs. Valued for his persuasive negotiation and collaboration acumen, he holds a proven track record of growing, establishing and nurturing healthy, loyal partnerships with key industry players – continuously securing new tenable streams of work.

A strong believer in open-source, data sciences and the Internet of Things, Derrick stays abreast of the latest developments in frameworks and design. Throughout his career he has mentored incubated start-ups and entrepreneurs, developing feasible revenue models and commercialization product strategies. Recent successes include a programme that drives innovation by building an ecosystem and culture based on the principles of co-creation through collaboration between universities, science councils and businesses.