ABRIDGED CV OF JONATHAN NAIDOO Jonathan Naidoo is employed as the Chief Executive Officer at The Durban Technology Hub (SmartXchange). Jonathan is an economics graduate with post graduate specialization in research methods, political and economic geography and a Masters qualification in GIS. Jonathan also holds certificate courses in Imports & Exports, Project Financing for Public Private Partnerships, Conflict Management, Program Management, Financial Modeling, an Estate Agents Diploma, Incubation Governance & Management and an Education Degree specializing in Mathematics. Jonathan also completed a “Trade Promotion for South Africa” course in Japan. Jonathan has extensive experience on trade and investment related activities, having led and accompanied a number of outward and inward business missions. Jonathan’s vast business experiences coupled with his connectivity both domestically and internationally has earned him a reputation of an astute “deal maker”. Jonathan’s career journey commenced as an educationist teaching Mathematics and thereafter resigned to take up the position of HEAD: Economic Research, Policy and Advocacy at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and after restructuring he became the Team Leader of Trade & Investment. Jonathan then went on to be the Chief Operations Officer of Trade and Investment KwaZulu Natal and thereafter became the Sales and Marketing Director for the Sub-Saharan Africa Region for the Austrian Tolling company, EFKON AG. Jonathan’s entrepreneurial passion resulted in his 1st Start-Up in 1985, Excellent Signs and then in 1989 his 2nd Start-Up, a 180-seater Al a Carte Restaurant, Take Away and Ice Cream Parlor. In 1992 Jonathan commenced with his 3rd Start-Up, Excellent Furniture. In 1998 Jonathan established a property development company, Jorano Investments. In 2000 Jonathan sold off 3 businesses to focus exclusively on his property portfolio. In 1995/6 Jonathan served as the President of the Hibiscus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he also served as an Executive member of both the district and local spheres of government in the UGU District Council and the Port Shepstone Transitional Local Council from 1996 to 2000. Jonathan is currently appointed onto the Ray Nkonyeni Mayoral Economic Advisory Committee and serves as a Member of the KwaZulu Natal Human Resource Development Council as the lead champion for the ICT sector. Jonathan has coached and managed 32 innovations since 2013.