Business and technology incubator Softstart Business & Technology Incubator (SBTI) wants to transform 19 000 m² of its undeveloped land in Midrand into Africa’s largest information and communication technology hub to drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The group sent out a request for information (RFI) last month to determine interest, conceive commercially viable ideas for the development of the technology hub and attract potential partners or tenants to actively – directly or indirectly – play a role in undertaking the initiative.

SBTI, established in 2006 through a merger between the Softstart Trust and the Bodibeng Technology Incubator, aims to develop “world-class facilities” to bolster activities related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while engaging in a beneficial and long-term business relationship to help improve the financial health of SBTI to ensure its sustainability.

SBTI will retain ownership of the land, which is located on the N1 corridor, and participate with the successful proponents in a mutually beneficial revenue-sharing model.

According to the RFI, interested parties will require a demonstrated ability to fund/finance the development of the project; have experience with approvals at municipal and provincial level on property development and management matters; have experience in the development of similar projects or zoned properties; and be willing to engage suitably qualified small, medium-sized and microenterprises to form part of the development of the project, besides others.

SBTI also requests that interested developers, consultants and companies submit “creative ideas”, recommended approaches, strategies, advice, financing structures and ownership and leasing approaches for the concept.

“SBTI seeks input in any form deemed appropriate by the respondent, including, but not limited to, reference projects, testimonials, maps, lessons learned [and] financial strength information,” the incubator outlines in the RFI.

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esponses are due by August 24.