The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) have announced the latest developments of the New Earth Observation Frontiers Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises Innovation Support Fund Programme (NEOFrontiers EISF). A total of eight start-ups involved in space and Earth observation innovations received funding through the ground-breaking programme.
Launched in March 2021, the NEOFrontiers is an innovation funding mechanism designed to drive the growth of the local space sector through increased public investments. It seeks to stimulate collaboration, cooperation and innovation in the public and private South African Earth observation community.
The NEOFrontiers programme is managed by the NRF on behalf of SANSA and implemented with the support of Tuksnovation, the University of Pretoria’s business and technology incubator.
SANSA launched NEOFrontiers in 2021 through investment by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). The first four NEOFrontiers projects were funded in 2022 and another three in 2023.
The 2024 NEOFrontiers call attracted eight brilliant proposals on mining, agriculture, infrastructure development, healthcare innovation, banking and financial institutions as well as disaster risk reduction from successful start-ups:
- Abiri Innovations
- Agizo Solutions
- Aphelion World joint venture/consortium
- CreditAIs
- Integrated Geoscience Solutions
- Kgothatso Innovations
- Regona Trading
- YaAzi
Of the 56 applications received, 25 were eligible and given an opportunity to present to an independent adjudication committee.
“NEOFrontiers unfolds at an opportune time when South Africa seeks to foster innovation,” said Itumeleng Makoloi, acting chief director: space science and technology at the DSTI. “We need to create new ways of modernising areas such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing. We believe that this programme represents our shared vision to foster innovation, capacity building and strategic partnership across the public sector. The joint efforts of DSTI entities such as SANSA and the NRF play a critical role in driving this vision.”
According to SANSA CEO Humbulani Mudau, SANSA believes the start-ups will create a market pool for innovative solutions with space as a significant enabler and a value provider.
The NEOFrontiers platform is poised for greater strides in terms of direction and investments. “We’re indeed going to make this a flagship programme that will transform space-based ideas into relevant products and services that address societal and environmental challenges,” said Mudau.
Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, NRF CEO, describes NEOFrontiers as an innovation with potential to gear small enterprises in the space sector to create job opportunities.
“The programme is just a seed that we're putting in the ground. Much more is expected of our sciences.”
Advocate Lawrence Baloyi, head: innovation and contracts management at the University of Pretoria, said: “The initiative has the potential to shape the future of South African space innovation. SANSA has crafted an ambitious path forward with this fund – a path that not only drives innovation but also amplifies the potential of South Africa’s entrepreneurs and start-ups in the Earth observation sector.
“While South Africa’s space industry is growing, there remains a critical need to cultivate a large pool of start-ups and entrepreneurs within this highly specialised sector. Start-ups face unique challenges including high entry costs, the need for advanced technological knowledge and difficulties in securing funding for research, technology development and prototyping. These barriers make it essential to expand the pipeline of space-based entrepreneurs.”
