Category: Product Development
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Artificial Intelligence: implementing ChatGPT services for local government
Introduction The eThekwini Municipality, in its quest to harness the power of artificial intelligence to enhance its Economic Research, Strategy & Innovation Department, contracted Pista Ventures to integrate ChatGPT services. This collaboration aimed to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities to improve efficiency, innovation, and decision-making processes within the municipality’s operations. Understanding Artificial Intelligence in Government The integration…
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Social Innovation: corrective eyewear from plastic waste
Introduction Pista Ventures, in response to a call for proposals by the Goethe Institute, initiated the Open Oceans project with the aim of addressing two critical issues: the environmental crisis of plastic pollution and the social challenge of vision impairment in children. The project proposed the innovative solution of creating spectacles for children using recycled…
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Circular Systems: prototyping for the visually impaired using plastic waste
Introduction Pista Ventures, seizing an opportunity provided by the South African Cities Network (SACN) aligning to the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF), conceptualised “Open Oceans,” an innovative urban ocean lab project in Durban, South Africa. This initiative aimed to tackle the pressing issue of ocean plastics pollution by focusing on Durban’s river systems, which act…
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Polycrisis: civic technology in a time of crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest and recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal has illustrated the need for data-driven insights to help various stakeholders find the necessary information to assist or be assisted in times of need. Across KwaZulu-Natal, important information is inaccessible to the public, or is difficult to locate, retrieve and analyse during a disaster. In…
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Open Finance: developing a Cooperative Bank strategy
Introduction Pista Ventures, renowned for its expertise in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial growth, embarked on a transformative project with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA). The mission was to develop a strategic framework for the formation of a Cooperative Financial Institution (CFI) Association in Kwazulu Natal. This initiative aimed not only to unify district CFIs…
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Travel & Tourism: to Zula is to wander
Introduction Pista Ventures embarked on an innovative journey to develop Zula, a cutting-edge travel app designed to revolutionize the way tourists experience the rich tapestry of South African culture. Zula distinguishes itself by offering unique explorations of township and rural tourism, guided by the knowledge and insight of local youth tourism & hospitality graduates and…