South Africas
#1 leader in event and response solutions

We’re the experts in turning ordinary presentations into unforgettable experiences! With our cutting-edge solutions, we help you engage your audience like never before—creating moments that resonate and leave a lasting impression. If you want your message to stick, we’re the perfect partner to make it happen.

South Africas
#1 leader in event and response solutions

We’re the experts in turning ordinary presentations into unforgettable experiences! With our cutting-edge solutions, we help you engage your audience like never before—creating moments that resonate and leave a lasting impression. If you want your message to stick, we’re the perfect partner to make it happen.

Reach Out For A Demo

Our Global
Partners.

🤩

450+
Unforgettable Events

🧑‍💼

100K+
People Inspired

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20K+
Students Impacted

So why us?

Over 30 years of experience in the conference and event industry.

But that’s not all—we’re also experts in education, with our technology already in use by over 100 schools and 14 of South Africa’s top 25 universities.

We’re incredibly proud of the work we do, and our mission is simple: deliver exceptional results that always exceed expectations. How do we do it? By staying genuine, cooperative, and committed to providing a service that’s professional, courteous, and above all, reliable.

We know that sounds like a lot, but we stand by every word! Our clients are at the heart of everything we do, which is why we focus on delivering hassle-free, consistent service, ensuring every project runs smoothly from start to finish. Your satisfaction isn’t just a goal—it’s our promise.

The Start

From humble beginnings.

Participate Technologies began in September 2006, in the cozy loft of David and Jo’s two-bedroom apartment, not long after they’d tied the knot. One evening, as they chatted about life, David shared his passion for events and his love for teaching and learning. It was during these late-night conversations that the idea for Participate Technologies was born.

At the time, Audience Response Technologies wasn’t widely known, but David had been introduced to it while studying and had worked as a freelancer at an international congress. He saw a huge opportunity—this technology could solve the challenges faced at events and bring much-needed energy and interaction into classrooms.

Fueled by his belief in the potential of this technology, David and Jo took a leap of faith and officially launched Participate Technologies in January 2007. Their very first event customer was Bayer Pharmaceuticals, and the event was an overwhelming success! Soon after, Deloitte became the first to purchase a system—and to this day, over 12 years later, they’re still actively using the keypads.

By the time Participate Technologies celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2017, the company had sold almost 50,000 devices, completed 850 events, and delivered services in 11 countries to over 500 customers.

We asked David what the key to their success has been over the past decade, and here’s what he had to say:

It’s a real privilege to have been in business for over 10 years now, it’s been quite a ride!

I am so thankful for our customers who continue to trust us as the experts in audience engagement. Our fundamental strategy is to keep our customers our absolute top priority, our goal has always been to offer the best possible solution suited to each customer’s specific needs and complement this with a service that exceeds their expectations. Good has never been enough, we aim to deliver extraordinary at all times!

😀 David Wilson

Participate’s founder.

David Wilson is a man of many hats—family man, husband, father of two energetic boys, serial entrepreneur, and tech enthusiast. When he’s not immersed in business, you’ll find him cycling (or running—though only when being chased!). His true passion lies in solving problems and connecting with people.

An avid learner, David is constantly acquiring new knowledge and skills, fueling his drive to innovate. Over the years, he’s successfully built and personally funded two businesses from scratch, and he’s currently working on his third.

David’s first venture, Participate Technologies, is a technology service company specializing in conference and event solutions. They also supply audience response technology to corporates, government bodies, universities, and schools—helping them create engaging, interactive experiences.

In 2016, David joined forces with his wife, Jo, to launch Kids Cargo, an online retail business offering award-winning international products for moms, babies, and kids. The business has grown rapidly and now offers over 200 products.

But David’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. In May 2018, driven by his passion for the future of South Africa and the potential of its youth, David co-founded FutureProof. This business focuses on teaching young people the skills they need to start and run their own businesses—empowering them to take control of their futures and build behavioral competencies for success.

With a wealth of experience under his belt, David is a go-to advisor on all things problem-solving, customer service, business efficiency, and effectiveness. Over the last decade, he’s surveyed and assisted in thousands of presentations, earning the title “Presentologist”—a recognized expert in creating and delivering impactful presentations.

David’s philosophy is simple: build strong foundations, help others succeed, and always keep learning.

Ready to captivate your audience with creative solutions?

Talk to us today!