In a significant stride towards fostering innovation and collaboration, the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa has announced its top seven finalists for 2024. These promising local start-ups have been selected to advance in the competition, each receiving €10,000 in funding. Additionally, they will embark on a fully-funded trip to Ireland for a business networking program, providing access to the country’s leading business leaders, tech ecosystem, and acceleration support.
Now in its third year, the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa is a collaborative initiative involving the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and the Technology Innovation Agency, with support from Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Precinct and Dogpatch Labs Ireland. The challenge targets start-ups aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to forge mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise.
This year’s challenge saw over 350 entries from South African-owned, growth-stage tech start-ups focused on the SDGs. The seven selected start-ups will undergo an intensive pre-acceleration program featuring workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship sessions in South Africa, culminating in a showcase at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct at the end of August. Following this, they will travel to Ireland in September for an acceleration program with Dogpatch Labs in Dublin.
“This initiative exemplifies the strength of Irish-South African collaboration in technology and innovation,” said Austin Gormley, Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa. “It underscores Ireland’s commitment to fostering global technological partnerships and supporting young entrepreneurs in realizing their potential on the world stage. We look forward to their journeys and the impact they will have in promoting inclusive economic growth in South Africa.”
DSI Acting Director-General Daan Du Toit added, “The Irish Tech Challenge represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between South African ingenuity and global markets. Through this partnership, we are unlocking new opportunities for our local tech entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to sustainable economic development.”
The selected start-ups are:
– Charnté Marthinus, Smartview Technology:Provides enterprise-grade utility management solutions for real-time monitoring and management of consumption, helping businesses control costs, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact.
– Ahren Posthumus, Momint: Utilizes blockchain technology to enable capital investment in renewable energy projects by fractionalizing them, allowing individuals to co-invest, earn returns, and support a sustainable transition.
– Priaash Ramadeen, The Awareness Company: Offers situational awareness solutions through its Hydra software, integrating data from various sources to help organizations achieve operational efficiency and sustainability.
– Jabulani Nyembe, Athena:Provides a platform allowing patients to pay medical treatment costs in monthly installments, leveraging technology to streamline the process for both doctors and patients.
– Michelle Geere, AdBot:Delivers online advertising solutions for small business owners, handling their digital marketing needs through its AdBot platform.
– Prudence Simelane, Samanjalo: Uses geo-polymer technology to convert coal waste (fly ash) into green construction products, such as green cement, bricks, pavers, and barricades.
– Kgololo Lekoma, Credipple: A talent marketplace that connects clients with trusted creative and digital professionals, reducing the friction in hiring remote work professionals.
To witness the innovation of these start-ups, register for the showcase on 30 August at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.