Africa’s first dedicated creative-tech hub, the timbuktoo Creative Hub, invites creative entrepreneurs in Cape Town and those from across Africa to access support specifically developed for them to grow their businesses at no charge.
Located at the Homecoming Centre (formerly the Athol Fugard Theatre) in District Six (corner Buitenkant and Caledon streets), the hub will provide a dynamic space where creatives can work, collaborate, and access valuable support.
The hub has been established through a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), UVU Africa, the Craft and Design Institute and Snake Nation.
UVU Africa via UVU Accelerate, its entrepreneurial development and incubation arm, is specifically designed to support entrepreneurs in music, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), fashion, textile technology, and animation sectors by leveraging technology as an enabler for creative businesses.
“Creative industries are a major driver of economic growth, yet African creatives often lack access to the resources, networks, and funding needed to scale their businesses,” explains Lara Rosmarin, Head of Entrepreneur Development at UVU Accelerate. “We’re inviting Cape Town’s creative community to come and experience the facilities and support we’ve developed specifically for them.”
The timbuktoo Creative Hub is to offer a free co-working space with WiFi and networking opportunities for creative entrepreneurs. The Hub will host an entrepreneur-in-residence who offers guidance and can help you overcome business challenges. The Hub will also provide technology support so you can learn to leverage technology to reach the right audiences, manage your business effectively, and integrate tech innovations into your creative work.
Creatives are also invited to host creative community events in the vibrant venue.
Rosmarin adds, “We aim to create an environment where creative entrepreneurs can scale their businesses, contribute to job creation, and drive economic transformation. If you’re a creative entrepreneur who feels stuck or needs guidance, we’re here to help you move forward, and if we don’t have what you need, we’ll connect you to our extensive network of partners and resources.”
Already, more than 280 entrepreneurs have applied for the accelerator programme, demonstrating the significant demand for specialised support in the creative technology sector.
The initiative is part of UNDP’s broader timbuktoo platform to unlock Africa’s innovation potential. Maxwell Gomera, Resident Representative, UNDP South Africa and Director, UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub emphasises: “Every groundbreaking venture starts with an audacious idea and the courage to nurture it. Through the timbuktoo Creative Hub, we are not just incubating businesses – we’re cultivating a generation of creative entrepreneurs who understand that Africa’s stories, innovations, and cultural expression aren’t just our heritage, they’re our competitive advantage.”
The hub operates as more than just a physical space—it’s a creative precinct that caters to entrepreneurs at all stages, from ideation to scaling established businesses. Whether you have just an idea or an established creative enterprise looking to grow, the timbuktoo Creative Hub provides tailored support to help you reach your next growth checkpoint.
To get involved, visit the timbuktoo Creative Hub at the Homecoming Centre or email connect@uvuaccelerate.com
