Something significant has happened since we last featured Motribe at Heavy Chef. The two intreprid founders have crossed the great divide: evolving from 2 minute noodle-eating start-up entrepreneurs to change-my-phone-number-so-that-VC-people-stop-calling-me serious players. Nic and Vince, with Motribe , have managed to garner over 1 million members… within 8 months! This makes it suddenly one of the most interesting tech developments in South African (and African) history.

Nic Haralambous returns to Heavy Chef for a much requested follow-up to the previous Session where Nic and Vince Maher gave us an insight into creating mobile communities. After the talk, there were rumblings from up North that we’d excluded them, so we’re happy to announce that Nic will be arriving in Jozi on Wed 25th May to report on the progress of Motribe, the new developments, and share some insights into how their growth has been achieved.

NOKIA JOINS THE HEAVY CHEF MOVEMENT

In their support of Motribe and mobile marketing in general, we’re excited to announce that Nokia have come on board to support the Heavy Chef. To start off with, Nokia will give away a smart phone at the event to one lucky attendant. We will reveal details of how you can win the phone closer to the time. Keep watching the Heavy Chef portal.

The organizers of Heavy Chef are really grateful for the ongoing support of our wonderful sponsors. We are extremely fortunate to have top quality brands behind the Heavy Chef Project. The success of the events have been in no small part created by having a world-class venue, great beverages and reliable suppliers. As usual, supercool beer goodness will be supplied by Corona; super-sumptuous wine by Backsberg. Mobile database management and support provided by Channel Mobile , with the venue provided by Deloitte.

WANT TO ATTEND?

If you want to be part of the Motribe magic, then please let us know asap. Seats will fly fast, so get your booking in NOW – email Yolandi here with your request to attend.

Date: Wednesday, 25 May 2011 at Deloitte Offices, Building 33, in Woodmead (Map)

Time: 6 for 6h30pm

Cost: Free, but you’ll need to grow a mo – see pic on the right for inspiration. Nic H will be standing at the door and turning people away. (Ladies, you’re cool.)

See you at the event!

P.S. Join the Heavy Chef community on the Heavy Chef portal, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook to see pics, videos and comment on past and future events.

Read more posts by Yolandi Janse van Rensburg

Yolandi is writer of the Heavy Chef Blog. Yolandi is also a copywriter and community manager at web marketing firm, World Wide Creative. You can find Yolandi on Twitter @Yolandi_JvR

Related posts:

1. Heavy Chef March 2011: Tim’s Presentation on Building Great Mobisites
2. Heavy Chef February 2011: Building Communities via Mobile
3. Heavy Chef Jozi: What the hell is “Augmented Reality” anyway?
4. Heavy Chef March Jozi: “The New Tools of PR 2″
5. Heavy Chef March: Building Great Mobisites