Michael van der Linde

Category
Entrepreneurship

Age
33

Organisation / Company
Tracto
Website

Profile

Michael van der Linde, 33, is the co-founder and chief product officer at Tracto, which helps parents support their children through emotional and behavioural challenges, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism.

The entrepreneur, who has a Bachelor of Commerce in Market Research, Sociology, Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the University of Stellenbosch, started his first business as a student when he co-founded OKGO wines, followed by Nucleus Stellenbosch.

Michael has worked in aerospace, health-tech and the internet of things. He is also co-founder and chief product officer at Augmental Technologies, a health-tech startup that supports caregivers of neurodiverse children.

“Learn more about the power of self-compassion, be authentically you, and remember to play (life is not all work)!” is the advice Michael would give to his younger self. He would like to see more initiatives and engagements that inspire hope in all South Africans. “I believe hope is a powerful tool to mobilise change.”

Michael’s sports achievements as a youngster and his single mom’s tenacity saw him awarded a sports bursary at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch. “Without the bursary, my mother was unable to afford the fees. This single event provided a sense of hope that I could take control of my own journey.”

List your educational background - qualifications and institutions?

• Bachelor of Commerce, Market Research, Sociology, Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship, University of Stellenbosch
• Matric, Paul Roos Gymnasium

Any awards or achievements in your field?

Recipient of the 2016 e’Bosch Heritage Project Honorary Award.

One childhood memory that has spurred you to such levels of achievement?

Due to my early sports achievements and my single mom’s tenacity, I was awarded a sports bursary at Paul Roos Gymnasium. Without the bursary, my mother was unable to afford the fees. This single event provided a sense of hope that I could take control of my own journey.

Advice to your younger self?

Learn more about the power of self-compassion, be authentically you, and remember to play (life is not all work)!

What would you like South Africa to look like in five years?

I would like to see more initiatives and engagements that inspire hope in all South Africans. I believe hope is a powerful tool to mobilise change.