Following the launch of the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, South African tech startups will have the opportunity to obtain worldwide exposure and access to global markets.
The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, a collaboration between the Irish Embassy in South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and Impact Amplifier, aims to build mutually beneficial partnerships between Irish tech expertise and South African tech entrepreneurs to help drive innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth in South Africa.
The organizers seek to help high-potential South African tech entrepreneurs that are ready to develop globally and increase their impact but are constrained in resources and lack access to the right global networks and infrastructure.Women, youth, and members of historically disadvantaged groups will be given priority.
Up to five tech entrepreneurs will participate in a fully funded 10-day curated business networking program in Ireland, one of the world’s fastest-growing tech hubs, where they will gain access to Irish tech leaders’ expertise, expand their networks in Ireland, Europe, and South Africa, and receive funding support of up to EUR10,000 (US$11,000) each.
Initiatives like the Tech Challenge, according to Colm Brophy, Ireland’s minister for overseas development aid and diaspora, are crucial for future development and generations to come “to create new connections, new bridges, and new opportunities between our peoples.”
“We see a great opportunity for partnerships in sectors that support economic and social progress, such as clean-tech, agri-tech, med-tech and education-tech. We also see an opportunity in the Tech Challenge to engage with our diaspora communities, working in the tech sector in both Ireland and South Africa,” he said.
Applications are open now until April 5.