the Top 7 startups

The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa in partnership with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) and Dogpatch Labs Ireland is excited to announce the top 7 South African tech startups who are finalists of the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024.

see the 7 TECH ENTREPRENEURS CHAMPIONING CHANGE

MICHELLE GEERE

Adbot

Jabulani nyembe

Athena

Kgololo Lekoma

Credipple

aHren posthumus

Momint

Prudence simelane

SAMANJALO

Charnte Marthinus

SmartView Technologies

PRIAASH RAMADEEN

The Awareness Company

For more information Click Here

THE IRISH TECH CHALLENGE WILL AWARD SEVEN COMPELLING TECH INNOVATORS:

  • Up to €10,000 each in funding.
  • A funded trip to Ireland where you will be part of a curated business networking programme with access to the country’s top business ​​leaders.
  • ​​​​Access to the Irish tech ecosystem ​​with potential opportunities for further funding. ​
  • Receive acceleration support to position your global scaling strategy in collaboration with Dogpatch Labs in Ireland.
FAQs
  • Collaborative initiative: Spearheaded by the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct and Technology Innovation Agency, the programme aims to fuse Irish technology expertise with the innovation of South African tech entrepreneurs.
  • Focus on innovation: The Irish Tech Challenge is rooted in promoting innovation, fostering technology development, and ensuring effective technology deployment within South Africa.
  • Empowering diversity: With a special emphasis on encouraging applications from women, young entrepreneurs, and startups aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including climate-focused start-ups.
  • Global expansion support: The chosen entrepreneurs will receive not just financial aid, but also premier access to Ireland’s vast technological expertise and influential networks to bolster their growth.
  • Overcoming challenges: The initiative understands the barriers faced by tech entrepreneurs ready for global scalability: limited resources, high tech costs, and network and infrastructure access.

PROPEL YOUR TECH START-UP TO NEW HEIGHTS

WHY APPLY?

Join the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024 and seize the opportunity to change the tech landscape while making a global impact

UPCOMING KEY DATES

5 May 2024
Submission deadline


30 August 2024

Showcase Day


5 August 2024
Pre-Acceleration Program Begins

 

20-30 September 2024:
Visit to Ireland

Post revenue; Pre-revenue, (but with developed IP or prototype). Venture must demonstrate commercial potential.

All Tech sectors welcome. We are particularly interested in: Clean/Green-Tech, Circular Economies, Med/Health/Biotech, Ed-Tech, WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene)

Addressing one of the 17  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: See SDG list

At least one founder/CEO must be full-time. Women-led or youth-led businesses are particularly encouraged to apply

At least 51% owned by a South African and/or partnership with an Irish national

Headquartered in South Africa or Ireland

SELECTION CRITERIA

SELECTION AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The selection committee comprises highly qualified and impartial experts with experience in the technology and innovation sector and experience working with entrepreneurs at varying stages of their entrepreneurship journey.

PAUL DEANE

Trade and Education Counsellor at the Embassy of Ireland

Eimear Costigan

Senior Market Advisor – Enterprise Ireland

Hesus Inoma

International Liaison at Dogpatch Labs – Ireland

Monique D. Griffith

Head of Innovation Partnerships at the City of Johannesburg

Brigitte Binneman

Director for Innovation Priorities and Instruments at the Department of Science and Innovation

Padraig Staunton

CEO TheExtraMind

Munyaradzi Nyakavaranda

Head of Digital Skills -Tshimologong

Zosuliwe Kala

Trade, Economic & Education Manager Embassy of Ireland

Contact

For general feedback and any queries not found in the FAQs, please email irishtechchallenge@tshimologong.joburg

Please expect responses within three working days.

We may be unable to answer specific questions about applications while the call for applications is still open

Want to know more?

READ THE FAQs

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IRISH TECH CHALLENGE SOUTH AFRICA FAQs

General

The Irish Tech Challenge aims to support innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering connections between the South African and Irish tech ecosystems. The Tech Challenge will identify a number of high-potential impact-driven South African tech start-ups each year and provide them with a curated mentoring and acceleration program in the Irish tech ecosystem.

  • To provide seven high-potential entrepreneurs who are ready to expand their company and operations globally, with access to high-quality Irish expertise and networks.
  • To foster stronger ties and collaboration between the tech and entrepreneurship ecosystems in Ireland and South Africa. The objective is to provide a platform for both countries to thrive through mutual cooperation and support.

The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, in partnership with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and Dogpatch Labs Ireland.

You can email irishtechchallenge@tshimologong.joburg