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Gys is an experienced businessman and entrepreneur who is passionate about the role of business and the Open Innovation paradigm.

Gys's enterprising technology spirit was clearly evident at a young age when in his 20's he started an online and offline transaction platform company that was eventually sold to SourceCom when the family business beckoned. What followed was a highly successful 18 year career in building the largest privately owned Concrete Masonry Business in South Africa. At its peak, the business consisted of 19 factories across the country with a staff complement in excess of 600 people and a production capacity of more than 600,000 tons per annum. In a multi-million rand buyout in 2008 Gys sold the company to a JSE listed group and after seeing his three year earn-out through it was time to take a break.

Hesitant to jump into another commercial venture straight away, Gys decided to further his studies at UCT's GSB by entering into an Executive MBA Programme (EMBA) which he completed this in 2012. His thesis topic was "The Delay of Social Business Software Adoption in the enterprise and its effects".

Gys is also a member of the Young president's organisation and Endeavour and was recently awarded the Graduate School of Business Alumni leadership trophy. Wyzetalk, was also named one of twelve finalists at the 2017 FNB Business Innovation Awards.