Savant Build Programme in South Africa

What is Build Programme 2024?

• Build is an intensive 6-month programme designed to meticulously guide ventures in developing a compelling investor business case. Spread across 12 critical themes, the programme offers a comprehensive blend of online learning materials, practical assignments, and interactive webinars. Participants are not just limited to these resources; they also actively engage in the vibrant Savant community and gain invaluable insights from access to expert mentors. This holistic approach ensures each venture is thoroughly prepared and investor-ready by the end of the programme.
• Accepted companies will enjoy access to resources worth over R350,000, including masterclasses from industry experts, bespoke business development services, the robust learning management system, and entry into the mentoring and consulting network, among other valuable assets.

They invest in founders beyond capital

• Introducing the Savant Build Programme, a highly competitive investment readiness initiative tailored for visionary founders who are dedicated to tackling Green Economy challenges through cutting-edge deep-tech hardware solutions.
• The Build Programme offers founders a one-of-a-kind blend of engineering resources, robust networks, and access capital. It’s designed to empower African founders in the SADC region to put their innovations to the test locally and propel them to international success. In the ever-evolving startup landscape, achieving significant momentum requires a reimagined approach.

Topics

• Investment Readiness: Elevating your business to peak investor appeal
• Hardware Development Crash Course: Accelerating innovation with intensive hardware development training
• Growth Strategy: Strategising for exponential growth in a competitive marketplace
• Go-To-Market and Sales Strategy: Mastering market entry with a dynamic sales blueprint
• Legal, IP, and Structuring: Fortifying your business with robust legal and IP frameworks
• Impact Strategy: Designing strategies for sustained, measurable societal impact
• Technology Decision Making Process: Streamlining technology choices for maximum efficiency and impact
• Building the Investment Case: Crafting a compelling narrative to secure funding
• Financial Management and Financial Modelling: Navigating financial complexities with precision forecasting
• Pitch Training: Honing your pitch for unforgettable investor engagement
• Valuation, Term Sheets, and Structuring the Deal: Demystifying valuation and deal structuring for optimal outcomes
• Post-Investment Support: Continued support to ensure post funding success

Offerings

The Build Programme is an immersive 6-month journey, offering the following:

• Build Masterclasses
  • Engage in competitive masterclass sessions designed to yield tangible outcomes for your business.
• Build LMS
  • Access Thinkroom’s comprehensive Learning Management System, your knowledge hub covering essential topics ranging from sales, product development, and team management to fundraising, legal aspects, and intellectual property.
• Build Mentoring
  • Benefit from targeted one-on-one mentorship sessions with leading experts in science, engineering, and venture entrepreneurship.
• Build Advisory
  • Receive specialised advisory support from Savant’s seasoned investment team.

Investment Opportunity

• Top-performing companies will have the chance to secure an equity investment ranging from R100,000 to R200,000, along with supplementary services including hardware development consulting, access to software developers, one-on-one sales mentorship, and continued access to the Savant team.
• Build doesn’t end after 6 months. They continue to help founders for the life of their companies. Founders will have access to the Savant Venture Fund and other network funds to enable follow-on funding to scale the business.

Who they are looking for?

To apply for the 2024 Build Programme, they are seeking individuals and teams who meet the following criteria:

• General Eligibility
  • Innovative hardware solutions rooted in deep technology
  • Founders actively seeking capital, whether at the pre-seed or seed stage
  • Commitment to addressing decarbonisation, resource efficiency, and conservation management challenges
• Stage-Specific Requirements
  • Proven post-market entry with a compelling proof of concept (partial prototype)
  • Demonstrated product-market fit or market validation
  • A dynamic and adaptable team eager to learn and open to mentorship
  • Ambitious local hardware applications with global potential
  • In-house technical co-founder
  • Strong intellectual property foundation
• Preferred Sectors
  • Clean energy and energy efficiency
  • Resource conservation and management
  • Sustainable waste management practices
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Water management

For more information, visit Savant.