Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024 Application

• 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.

• 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.

STAGE
Post revenue; Pre-revenue, (but with developed IP or prototype). Venture must demonstrate commercial potential.

SECTORS
All Tech sectors welcome. We 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: See SDG list

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