CFAs: Centres for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (South Africa)

This Call is targeted at applications from marginalised communities (i.e. townships and rural areas) in South Africa.

Funding Information

• Grant funding up to a maximum of R700,000 to develop a new centre focusing on supporting SMMEs in innovation and entrepreneurship.
• TIA will retain the first right of refusal to fund any innovation outputs of the project; and
• The duration of the project shall be a maximum period of 18 months.

Fundable Activities 

• Setting up of a new centre where high levels of internal capacity and/or partnerships to ensure success can be demonstrated.
• Capacity building, skills training, and business development in innovation and entrepreneurship for SMMEs for a period of 6 to 12 months.
• Support activities to SMMEs including tech development, product development, market access opportunities, business development opportunities and related activities along the innovation value chain.

Non-Fundable Activities 

• Training facilities and training materials.
• Development of training programme.
• Programme activities or interventions not related to supporting SMMEs in innovation and entrepreneurship. Operational costs such as utilities and activities not related to the training programme.
• Office equipment (laptops, printers, furniture etc.).
• Infrastructure development such as buildings, ICT infrastructure, power supply.

Who can apply?

• The funding is targeted at:
  • TIA investees/innovators funded through other organisations in the National System of Innovation (NSI) who have created new centres or have an interest in creating and have a demonstrable track record of the technology deployed in the market.
  • Priority will be given to the underserved provinces. Due to the large number of centres in Gauteng, applications from the Gauteng region will not be considered in this round of funding. A high priority is placed on establishing centres excluding the following districts/metros:
    • Eastern Cape: Tambo District; Amathole District; Buffalo City Metropolitan
    • Gauteng: All districts
    • Kwa-Zulu Natal: eThekwini Metropolitan; Ugu District
    • Limpopo: Sekhukhune District, Waterberg District; Capricorn District
    • Mpumalanga: Nkangala District; Gert Sibande District
    • Western Cape: City of Cape Town Metropolitan
  • Applicants who demonstrate the ability to train a cohort of at least a minimum of 30 SMMEs in innovation and entrepreneurship for a period of 6 to 12 months, and support them with product development, market access opportunities, etc.
  • Applicants who demonstrate access to a training room and training materials and can deliver a training programme for innovation and entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit TIA.