The third Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, which leverages Ireland’s status as a global tech hub to create mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise, has selected seven tech startups from South Africa.
Every year, the Irish Embassy in South Africa organizes the Irish Tech Challenge in collaboration with the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct at Wits University, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and Dogpatch Labs Ireland.
More than 350 South African-owned, growth-stage tech start-ups with an eye toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN submitted entries for this year’s challenge. In South Africa, the seven chosen start-ups will participate in a rigorous pre-acceleration program that includes workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship sessions.
The Irish Tech Challenge will give the seven chosen entrepreneurs up to EUR10,000 (US$11,000) in funding each; additionally, they will receive funding for a trip to Ireland where they will participate in a business networking program curated by the nation’s top business leaders; gain access to the Irish tech ecosystem with potential for additional funding; and receive acceleration support from Dogpatch Labs.
The ventures that have been chosen are: Momint, which uses blockchain technology to ensure that capital is invested in renewable energy projects in a timely and safe manner; SmartView Technology, which offers enterprise-grade utility management solutions; and The Awareness Company, a situational awareness company that uses data to help organizations achieve sustainability and operational efficiency through its software product Hydra.
Other companies that were chosen include Samanjalo, a fly ash beneficiation company; Credipple, a talent marketplace for vetted creative and digital professionals; Adbot, which offers online advertising solutions for small business owners; and Athena, which makes affordable access to healthcare services possible through a platform that lets patients pay for their medical treatment costs in monthly installments.
“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,” said Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa Austin Gormley.
