Startup ecosystems play a critical role in providing an environment in which African startups can thrive and grow. In many countries, these systems are still young and are often vulnerable to unforeseen events such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Unexpected shocks can interrupt the operation of startups, incubators, universities, and even large firms for a significant time. Therefore, it is vital to strengthen the ecosystems’ ability to rapidly recover from negative events. Such resilience is also the key enabling factor to ecosystems’ development and growth.
For this reason, SAIS 2’s RE:innovation challenge is looking for visionaries who can offer technology-enabled solutions that strengthen innovation and startup ecosystems in Southern Africa.
SAIS 2 recognises technologies in the line of the fourth industrial revolution, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, and advanced wireless information and communication technologies, as empowering technologies driving the scalability of startup innovations and the resilience in ecosystems.
WORTH
- A maximum of six (6) applications will be selected for grant funding of between EUR 30,000 and EUR 50,000 per project for a maximum of five months. A matching funding minimum of 20% (10% cash and 10% in kind) is required from the applicants.
ELIGIBILITY
- You have identified a challenge to and a solution that strengthens the resilience of a startup ecosystem in one of the following countries: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, or Zambia.
- The solution is technology-enabled and easily adapted for quick implementation.
- You have a project consortium comprising innovation support organisations such as incubators, hubs, labs, and accelerators as well as research/academia, private sector and public entities, and/or NGOs hosting and supporting youth entrepreneurship and startups.
- Your project consortium must have at least one innovation support organisation as a member, which will also act as the project coordinator.
- Your project coordinator is a registered legal entity in one of the five SAIS 2 partner countries (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia).
DEADLINE: September 27, 2020
To apply and more information visit here
){kind=link}