The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, in partnership with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the Department of Science and Innovation, the Technology Innovation Agency and Dogpatch Labs Ireland have announced the selection of seven start-ups for the prestigious Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024.

Now in its third 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 attracted more than 350 entries from South African-owned, growth-stage tech start-ups focused on fulfilling the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The seven selected start-ups will undergo an intensive pre-acceleration programme with workshops, master classes and mentorship sessions in South Africa. These will conclude with a showcase at Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct at the end of August. They will then head to Ireland in September for an acceleration programme with Dogpatch Labs (a 500-member start-up and innovation hub in Dublin).

The selected innovators are:

• Charnté Marthinus (SmartView Technology providing enterprise-grade utility management solutions with advanced software and mobile application, allowing 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 using blockchain technology to ensure capital is invested in renewable energy projects in a fast and safe manner by fractionalising renewable energy projects and enabling individuals to co-invest in financing the projects with return on investment and contribution to a just and sustainable transition).
• Priaash Ramadeen (The Awareness Company using data to help organisations achieve operational efficiency and sustainability through Hydra software, which integrates with organisations’ sensors and third-party systems to enable automated data storytelling and quality insights).
• Jabulani Nyembe (Athena enabling affordable access to healthcare services through a platform that allows patients to pay their medical treatment costs in monthly instalments through technology administering this process for doctors and patients).
• Michelle Geere (Adbot providing online advertising solutions for small business owners by managing digital marketing through AdBot making online advertising easy, effective and accessible).
• Prudence Simelane (Samanjalo – a beneficiation business that uses geo-polymer technology to turn coal waste or fly ash into “green” products used in construction and infrastructure projects such as green cement, bricks, pavers and barricades).
• Kgololo Lekoma (Credipple – a talent marketplace for trusted creative and digital professionals reducing friction in remote recruitment by matching clients to trusted professionals and streamlining the administration processes for effective collaboration).

“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 Austin Gormley, Ireland’s South African ambassador.

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 and empowering South African start-ups to thrive on the global stage.

The seven selected entrepreneurs will receive:

• Funding of up to €10 000 each.
• A funded trip to Ireland to be part of a curated business networking programme with access to the country’s top business leaders.
• Access to the Irish tech ecosystem with opportunities for further funding.
• Acceleration support for global scaling in collaboration with Dogpatch Labs.

Acting director-general of the Department of Science and Innovation Daan du Toit said: “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 and contributing significantly to sustainable economic development”.

Mark Harris, CEO of the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, said: “The talent and innovation we’ve seen this year are testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in South Africa. Our role in nurturing these start-ups 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”.

You can register here to see the start-ups at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct on 30 August 2024.