Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme
Overview
The Growth for Jobs economic strategy has identified technology and innovation as priority focus areas to stimulate growth and drive the development of the Western Cape economy. Our ambition is to become Africa’s tech capital globally competitive, job-absorbing, and attractive to investment.
A strong and growing Western Cape tech and innovation ecosystem including venture capital is critical to achieving our economic goals for the province. Over the coming year, DEDAT aims to support the local tech sector by strengthening the ecosystem through:
- Building and empowering local tech and innovation ecosystem enablers;
- Strengthening and expanding linkages between technology and business to improve product development, market access, and supply chains;
- Convening thought leadership to enhance the competitiveness of tech sub-sectors and niches, and to address structural and regulatory barriers;
- Supporting excellence in innovation, commercialisation, and business acumen, while capitalising on the region’s tech start-up culture through partnerships. This includes initiatives with founders, expanding mentoring opportunities, and opening avenues to attract funding for tech entrepreneurs.
The department will kick off support for the tech ecosystem through our Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme.
Why ecosystem-enablement?
Our department recognises that ecosystem-builders play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of innovation and risk-taking, which is essential for the growth of knowledge-intensive industries.
By providing a supportive environment, ecosystem-builders allow entrepreneurs to experiment, learn from their mistakes, and collaborate with other stakeholders and enablers. Ecosystem-builders contribute to creating the conditions that are necessary to thrive.
Moreover, ecosystem-builders are essential players in creating an environment where tech & innovation businesses grow, learn, and connect with each other. They are crucial for building and supporting the tech startup community and providing the resources and support that entrepreneurs need to succeed.
Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme
DEDAT intends to provide funding specifically to support tech ecosystem builders based in the Western Cape at a maximum of R1,000,000 (one million rand) per annum for a period of 3 (three) years.
We invite intermediaries to respond to our Call-for-Proposals targeted at tech sector ecosystem enablement support.
Important Note: DEDAT is taking a thematic approach to ecosystem enablement, which means that we are not focussing on a broad or generic approach to the technology ecosystem, but rather focussed approach targeting sub-sectors, be they technologies specifically (e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Deeptech, Cyber-Security, Drones/UAV, Robotics, etc) or technology-sector verticals (e.g. Fintech, Venture Capital, Agri-tech, Climate-tech, eCommerce, Aerospace, Manufacturing-tech etc.).
Some of the features which the proposals would need to address are as follows:
- Intermediary organisations must have the existing internal resources and capability to support a minimum of 40 technology and innovation businesses through events, initiatives, programmes or projects annually.
- You will need to propose ways to improve competitiveness through ecosystem-enablement of the specific technology sub-sector in the WC and explain how you’ll deliver programmes through coordinated platforms
- Intermediary organisations must demonstrate a sound understanding of the landscape and complexity of the challenges and opportunities facing the specific local technology sub-sector being applied for.
- You will need to indicate clear alignment with the G4J strategy, in particular the Technology and Innovation Priority Focus area.
- The proposed programme will need to have clear and measurable outputs and be able to track and monitor for impact.
- The organisations applying to the programme fund must have, and be able to demonstrate, access to a strong network of collaborative partners in the private and public sector and have access to internal stakeholders that allow for knowledge sharing, critical skills development, building business networks, assist with access to markets and various options in raising capital (both nationally and internationally). Only established organisations will be considered.
- The funding contemplated above is expressly intended to contribute towards enhancing and expanding existing programmes in support of technology and innovation ecosystem building. The DEDAT funding through this programme cannot be used as the primary funding required to run the organisation. Applicants are therefore required to demonstrate that they are a going concern and are financially independent.
The programme fund is subject to budget availability. Although it is an open fund, it is in the best interest of the applicant to submit funding applications as soon as possible. Applications received will be evaluated on a monthly basis or as the required based on applications received, against the evaluation criteria.
You can download the Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme Call-for-Proposals here
The Call-for-Proposals document contains an embedded link to the online application form. This document must be read thoroughly to ensure compliance with the funding prescripts.
We look forward to receiving your responses.