Deadline: 17-Dec-21
The Mobile Applications Laboratory NPC (mLab) was successfully awarded a Regional Innovation Support Programme (RISP) grant by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR) Technology Localisation Implementation Unit to establish an AgriTech and TravelTech regional innovation network in the Limpopo Province.
The project aims to build a network of researchers, designers, innovators and entrepreneurs to establish a vibrant agriculture and tourism technology ecosystem in Limpopo. Polokwane is the ideal city from which to start building the network and will serve as the hub from which to expand the network to more remote parts of the Limpopo Province.
The agriculture and tourism sectors boast strong potential for unlocking innovation opportunities that will help build a thriving economy in the Limpopo Province. The aim of the mLab RISP Project is to fuel collaboration amongst stakeholders, and the growth of AgriTech and TravelTech ecosystems in the Limpopo Province by capitalising on the region’s entrepreneurial successes, existing networks, and public-private partnerships.
Focus Areas
The RISP Project will focus on:
- Establishing and building a network of collaborative stakeholders
- Stimulating a vibrant ecosystem that supports innovation
- Promoting community engagement through innovation activities and challenges, and
- Incubating and supporting qualifying start-ups to facilitate the commercialisation of AgriTech and TravelTech in the region.
Benefits
- Increased Collaboration
- Collective Brand & Voice
- Showcase & Promote Local Innovation & Start Ups
- Industry Association
- Investment Attraction
- Build Pipeline & Rates Of Commercialization
Timeline
- Hosting 4 Agritech And Travel Innovation Showcase Awareness Event
- Stakeholders present Innovation challenges and Opportunities to set the context related to AgriTech and TravelTech status in Limpopo Province
- Intensive Bootcamp Workshops
- The Workshops will be hosted in 4 different regions
- (Mokopane/Polokwane/Venda/Phalaborwa) in Limpopo targeting local universities and TVET colleges.
- SEED FUNDING AND SUPPORT
- Funding support to the value of R100k for qualifying SMMEs
- Support 4 SMME’s
- Opportunity to attend SA Innovation Summit.
- Mentorship.
Finalists
- 1ST PLACE – FAMRU
- A soil fertility system, smart irrigation and data collection.
- 2ND PLACE – DRONE EYE TECHNOLOGY
- A tourism marketing system that uses drone technology to conduct virtual tours of locations of potential tourists which also has a system for bookings for local and international tourists.
- 3RD PLACE – MANGAU ANIMAL FEEDS
- A company that offers an array of products and services including livestock feed, as well as veterinarian and security services, saving farmers a lot of money in transportation whilst contributing to food security.
- 4TH PLACE – PHATHUR HOLDINGS
- A solution for local farmers to access an online market using a fast delivery system. This new solution will also supply jobs to many young people in the community.
For more information, visit http://www.agritourzalimpopo.co.za/
