Programme administrator:
Global Cleantech Innovation Programme- South Africa
Type of programme:
Acceleration Programme
Programme description:
The GCIP-SA is part of a global initiative aimed at promoting clean technology innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in growing their SMMEs and start-ups into viable, investment-ready businesses. In South Africa, the programme was incorporated into the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) on 1 January 2018, after four years as a donor-funded project. Founding partners of the programme were the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO – Project Developer and International Implementer), the Global Environment Facility (GEF – Funder) and TIA (National Implementer and Country Host). The main knowledge partner of the global programme is the Network for Global Innovation (NGIN).
Location of programme:
Programme kick-start depend on where majority of participants are, for all previous years it has been Gauteng and that’s where the programme was hosted. After the kick-start we have business clinics, mock-judging and round 2 judging which happen regionally  in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Programme duration:
4 – 6 months
Programme application windows:
Annual call for applications typically towards October/November. Visit http://southafrica.cleantechopen.org/
Programme breakdown:
National Academy – 3days
Business Clinics – 2 days per region
Mock Judging – 1 day per region
Round 2 Judging – 1 day per region
Mentorship – used as needed (mentors are available for at least 2 hours a week
Global Webinars (Business model, go-to-market tactics, funding & financing, IP, product development etc.) – twice a week for the duration of the programme (connection from anywhere, normally takes place after working hours to accommodate all the participating countries)
Type of support offered:
Training, Mentoring, Access to Capital, Showcasing and Awards
Resources available for participants:
Business training methodology, general and specialist mentors
Applicant eligibility criteria:
- Be new and ground-breaking or incorporate adaptation of existing technologies; or use existing technologies in unique applications
- Have protectable Intellectual Property
- Demonstrate a feasible concept and product with potential for commercialisation
- Technology stage: Proof of concept up to pre-commercialisation
- Team size: At least two people, one of whom is a SA citizen or legal alien
Programme costs:
No costs involved.
Programme application instructions:
Online – link to be shared when the call opens. Anyone interested can email GCIP-SA so that we keep them on the database and share the call once it is out.
