My name is Cornel.

I love creating intuitive, engaging and scalable products using technology. I thrive on new challenges and the excitement of discovering the unknown. 🚀

Contact me
Cornel
I lead by doing. Most days I'm hands-on with code and design sessions, mentoring the team and helping to shape a culture that values ownership, transparency and continuous improvement. What really drives me is the combination of business and technology, bringing solutions to life that's both technically sound and commercially viable. With experience across several startups, I love taking ideas from early concept to real-world impact.

18 years
Experience

Jul 2025 – present
CEO & Co-Founder
Shiplogic
Shiplogic is an end-to-end courier SaaS platform used by some of South Africa’s most trusted courier brands. As CEO and co-founder, I oversee product direction, engineering strategy, commercial partnerships and operational delivery.

The platform provides real-time tracking, accurate billing, dynamic rate engines, automated routing, driver apps, API integrations and intelligent optimisation tools. My focus is ensuring reliability, scalability and continuous innovation while building a high-trust culture and leading the company’s growth within the courier ecosystem.
Aug 2021 – Jun 2025
Chief Technology Officer
Bob Group
Led the infrastructure and software development function, ensuring stability, efficiency, scalability and high impact. Worked with a cross-functional team to design, build, test and deploy products powering the South African ecommerce ecosystem:
  • Bob Pay: An online payment solution
  • Bob Shop: An online marketplace
  • Bob Go: A platform for order management and smart shipping
  • Bob Box: A courier-agnostic parcel locker network
  • Ship Logic: A courier SaaS platform trusted by industry leaders like The Courier Guy
Dec 2019 – Aug 2021
Head of Development: Ship Logic
uAfrica.com
Led the development of a courier SaaS platform built on React, React Native and Go, deployed on a fully serverless AWS architecture with PostgreSQL, optimised for speed, scalability and seamless user experience.
Mar 2019 – Dec 2019
Solution Architect
ITSI Holdings
Designed and implemented research-based e-learning solutions to enhance educational experiences for children on both web and mobile app platforms.
Mar 2017 – Mar 2019
Head of Mobile Application Development
ITSI Holdings
Managed a team of Android, iOS and Windows app developers, providing guidance, strategy and collaboration with other departments.
Jan 2014 – Mar 2017
iOS Mobile Application Developer
ITSI Holdings
Implemented a feature-rich iOS e-reader involving complex user interfaces, encryption, compression and server communication.
Mar 2011 – Oct 2013
Technical Consultant
EPI-USE America Inc.
Worked as a technical consultant delivering full stack and integration-focused solutions for clients including MIT, Starwood Hotels in New York, and Genentech/Roche in California. This included developing rich mobile web applications integrated with SAP backends, building a Flash-based e-learning engine, and creating Java tools to automate large-scale content migration into SAP systems.
Jan 2010 – Mar 2011
Java Developer
GEW Technologies
Developed Java-based signal intelligence tools including video chat and voice calls over radio signals, and battlefield planning tools based on signal intelligence.
Jul 2007 – Dec 2007
Assistant Lecturer
University of Pretoria, South Africa
Assisted with and taught the "Multimedia for the Web" course.

Forever learning
Education

Aug 2018 – Sep 2018
Agile Project Management
Torque IT
Jan 2015 – Dec 2017
MBA (Grade with distinction)
Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland
The programme covered key management disciplines including economics, marketing, accounting, finance, strategic planning, people skills and project management.
Jan 2009 – Dec 2009
BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Grade with distinction)
University of Pretoria, South Africa
This degree focused on complex topics such as artificial intelligence, advanced computer graphics and network security.
Jan 2006 – Dec 2008
BIS Multimedia (Grade with distinction)
University of Pretoria, South Africa
The BIS Multimedia degree combines computer science and information science, with a focus on software development and UI/UX design.

Forever trying
Startups

Betlabs

Go, Python, React, PostgreSQL

Developed an API and infrastructure for sports betting algorithms such as Dynamic Parlays and Boost Bets, enabling operators to offer innovative betting features.

PICK a PET!

Node.js, Vue.js, MongoDB

Co-founded and developed a website and mobile app that aggregates pets from South African shelters, giving users an easy way to find animals available for adoption.

Auction software

React, Go, PostgreSQL

Designed and built a complete auction management system including stock management, reporting, invoicing and integration with Sage Pastel.

Hey Happy

Firebase, Expo (React Native)

Co-founded and developed a mobile app that teaches emotional, behavioural, cognitive, alternative and nutritional techniques to improve your mood.

Ticket Office

Node.js, Vue.js, MongoDB

Founded and built an online ticketing platform with a companion mobile app for fast scanning of tickets at event entrances.

VistaPath Biosystems

React, Node.js

Implemented the world's first automated tissue grossing platform using ROS and integrated it with a Laboratory Information System.

F0cal

React, Node.js

Developed a marketing website and a complex image markup tool that allows users to annotate images with shapes, lines and labels.

Abattoir software

jQuery, PHP, MySQL

Designed and developed a comprehensive abattoir management system including stock management, manufacturing, invoicing and integration with scales and scanners.

Wing Planner (now aircraftclubs.com)

jQuery, PHP, MySQL

Designed and developed an aviation club management system.