Tech entrepreneur flies SA flag high at Chivas Regal The Venture Year 2 in New York

Press Release: 

 

Chivas Regal’s The Venture Year 2 has come to a rewarding end. The winner has been announced and competitors have returned home, a little richer and inspiredthan before. Jaco Gerrits, founder and CEO of CrashDetech, represented South Africa in this year’sglobal final of only 27 finalists. The judges found the start-up to have a bright future based on how it is already a successful concern in South Africa, Jaco’s experienceand connections made through the platform will stand his company in good stead for future expansion and development.

“We are tremendously proud of Jaco, and we know that South Africa is, too,” says Shelley Reeves, Marketing Manager: Scotch Whiskey at Chivas Regal. “Feedback from the expert and celebrity panel of judges in New York was that CrashDetech is success story of social enterprise. It has already impacted so many lives and is an established and viable business that will continue to make significant inroads to saving lives on South African roads.

“Jaco has also shown that he has what it takes to compete against the world’s best minds. Being selected to participate in an event of this Global magnitude proves that South Africa has the talent, skill and drive to change society for the better.”

“As a fairly competitive guy, I was disappointed that CrashDetech didn’t win,” shares Mr Gerrits. “But The Venture is all about winning the right way: The judges felt that we have already made great progress, and that the funding support would have a bigger impact on some of the other businesses that are still at prototyping stage.

“Fortunately, my business and I still benefited in more ways than I could ever have imagined. The assistance, support and collaboration with the Chivas Regal SA team resulted in enormous exposure that lead to many new opportunities, and CrashDetech has continued to makesome remarkable strides. This has been one of the best experiences of my life.”

Launched in late 2014, The Venture is Chivas Regal’s global search to find, support and mentor the most promising social entrepreneurs who strive to win the right way, innovators to whom success means making a positive impact on the lives of others.

After winning the South African regional final 2015, Mr Gerrits was whisked away to the UK where he participated in The Venture’s Accelerator Week along with the other chosen business-minded men and women, receiving training and business advice from some of the most influential names in industry. Thereafter, it was on to the glittering lights of New York City for the final last week, where each social entrepreneur pitched their products to an expert panel of judges that included actress, philanthropist and businesswoman Eva Longoria;Founding Executive Director of the Beeck Center for Social Impact and InnovationSonal Shah; social entrepreneur Joe Huff; and Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard; Alexandre Ricard.

“I learned so much from these opportunities,” Mr Gerrits continues. “New strategies to motivate and build a team were of particular interest, and I’ve already applied many to great effect.

“To hear the different stories from other contenders was very inspiring - everyone is doing their part to make the world a better place.”

Choosing the winning start-up could not have been an easy task for the judges; each innovation was meticulously designed and created to affect positive change, and each creator as brilliant as the next. The eventual winner wasConceptosPlásticos (a Colombia-based business that transforms plastic and rubber waste into construction foundations for permanent housing).

“We are confident thateverything Jacolearned throughout the competition,and the exposure he gained will help him on his way to continued international success,” says Mrs Reeves. 

“We’ve had a number of bigger corporates approaching us to explore our licensing options including major players from the insurance, banking and automotive industries,” Mr Gerrits adds. We are also exploring an exciting new feature with Chivas South Africa and considering international expansion opportunities.”

With The Venture Year 3 launching in August this year, other social entrepreneurs like Jaco have a chance topower change through business by Winningthe right way.For more information on The Venture Year 3, please go to www.theventure.com.

ENDS