Sandiso Sibisi

Sandiso Sibisi, founder of COOi (Co Open Innovation) Studios, is driven, but humble to the core, and averse to titles. “Some of the work that needs to be done in a business isn’t what people perceive company founders or CEOs to be doing. I do whatever is needed, however mundane. Also, founder implies startup, and we are a growing business; a scale-up better describes what and where we are now,” she says proudly.

Having obtained her B.Com in Information Systems (Hons) from Wits University, Sibisi says finding time to finish her Master’s in Innovation Studies is challenging due to her business’ manic growth. When she’s not cooking Italian food – her favourite – she’s on the courts. But even her downtime has purpose. “Padel is logistically convenient and I took it up to better connect with the many of my clients.”