The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, in partnership with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and Dogpatch Labs Ireland are delighted to announce the selection of seven tech start-ups for the prestigious Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024.
Now in its third successive year, the collaboration aims to forge mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise, leveraging Ireland’s global tech hub status.
This year’s Challenge saw more than 350 entries from South African-owned, growth-stage tech start-ups focused on fulfilling the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The seven selected start-ups will undergo an intensive pre-acceleration programme with workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship sessions in South Africa. These will conclude with a showcase at Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct at the end of August. Thereafter, they will head to Ireland in September 2024 for an acceleration programme with Dogpatch Labs, a 500-member strong start-up and innovation hub located in Dublin.
The selected innovators are:
Charnté Marthinus – Smartview Technology
SmartView Technology provides enterprise-grade utility management solutions. Their advanced software and mobile application allows for real-time monitoring and management of consumption, making it easier for businesses to control costs, improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Ahren Posthumus – Momint
Momint uses blockchain technology to ensure that capital is invested in renewable energy projects in a fast and safe way. They do this by fractionalizing renewable energy projects enabling individuals to co-invest in the financing of the projects, enabling a return on investment and contributing to a just and sustainable transition.
Priaash Ramadeen – The Awareness Company
The Awareness Company is a situational awareness company that uses data to help organizations achieve operational efficiency and sustainability through their software product called Hydra. This integrates with organizations sensors and third party systems, thus enabling automated data storytelling and quality insights.
Jabulani Nyembe – Athena
Athena enables affordable access to healthcare services through a platform that allows patients to pay their medical treatment costs in monthly installments. They use technology to administer this process for both doctors and patients.
Michelle Geere – AdBot
Adbot provides online advertising solutions for small business owners by handling all their digital marketing needs through its AdBot. They make online advertising easy, effective and accessible.
Prudence Simelane – Samanjalo
Samanjalo is a fly ash beneficiation business that uses geo-polymer technology to turn coal waste (fly ash) into green products used in construction and infrastructure environments such as green cement, bricks, pavers and barricades.
Kgololo Lekoma – Credipple
Credipple is a talent marketplace for trusted creative and digital professionals. They reduce friction in the process of hiring remote work professionals by matching clients to trusted professionals and streamlining the admin processes, to make it easier to collaborate and do great work.
“This initiative exemplifies the strength of Irish-South African collaboration in technology and innovation. It underscores Ireland’s commitment to fostering global technological partnerships and supporting young entrepreneurs in realising their potential on the world stage. We look forward to their journeys and the impact they will have in promoting inclusive economic growth in South Africa,” says Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa, H.E. Mr. Austin Gormley.
The Irish Tech Challenge will award the seven selected entrepreneurs:
- Up to €10,000 each in funding.
- A funded trip to Ireland where they 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.
- Acceleration Support to position their global scaling strategy in collaboration with Dogpatch Labs.
The Acting Director-General of the Department of Science and Innovation, Mr Daan Du Toit says, “The Irish Tech Challenge represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between South African ingenuity and global markets. Through this partnership, we are unlocking new opportunities for our local tech entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to sustainable economic development.”
Mark Harris, CEO of the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, adds, “The talent and innovation we’ve seen this year are testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in South Africa. Our role in nurturing these startups in the pre-acceleration phase at the Tshimologong Precinct has always been immensely rewarding, and we’re excited to see how they evolve and make their mark globally.”
Hesus Inoma, Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Dogpatch Labs Ireland agrees, “We are excited to play a part in South Africa’s brightest tech startups journey. We believe in the power of cross-border collaboration to catalyse innovation, and this challenge is a perfect example of how international partnerships can ignite transformative growth in the tech sector.”
High-growth tech entrepreneurs are pivotal for innovation, economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation. However, South African tech entrepreneurs face challenges like limited resources, lack of access, and high technology costs when scaling globally. The Irish Tech Challenge plays a crucial role in breaking down these barriers, empowering South African start-ups to thrive on the global stage.
You can register here to see the startups at the showcase on the 30th of August 2024 at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
