Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024

Aims

• 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.

Benefits

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.

Why Apply?

• 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.

Eligibility Criteria

• Stage
  • Post revenue; Pre-revenue, (but with developed IP or prototype). Venture must demonstrate commercial potential.
• Sectors
  • All Tech sectors welcome. They are particularly interested in: Clean/Green-Tech, Circular Economies, Med/Health/Biotech, Ed-Tech, WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene)
• Impact
  • Addressing one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Team
  • At least one founder/CEO must be full-time. Women-led or youth-led businesses are particularly encouraged to apply
• Ownership
  • At least 51% owned by a South African and/or partnership with an Irish national
• Geography
  • Headquartered in South Africa or Ireland.

For more information, visit Embassy of Ireland in South Africa.