Deadline: 28-Feb-22
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is seeking proposals for its Grassroots Innovation Programme from grassroots innovators looking for funding, technical assistance, and support for developing a new product or process up to the prototype and proof of concept stage.
Fundable Activities
- Development & production of fully functional prototypes of product innovations respond to social challenges
- Skills training and business development incubation and mentorship
- Specialized equipment that is within the budget constraints and required to enable innovation activities
- Introduction of a proof of concept where a viable business case can be demonstrated
- Registration of new enterprises or attaining compliance of already registered enterprises
- Registration of intellectual property rights, copyright and trademark protection, and licensing
- Personal and traveling stipend to the innovators in support of the development of their innovation
Support Package on OfferÂ
- Intellectual Property registration
- Industry compliance and certification
- Product and technical development expertise, design prototyping infrastructure & hard/software materials
- Production of a prototype
- Business development training and support
- Networking, mentorship and market access activities before Fundable Activities
Eligibility Criteria
- South African citizens of any age (ID copy required)
- Individual (or representing a team) with an innovative solution that solves a clear social problem
- Have full ownership of the Intellectual Property and rights to the proposed solution
- Applicants who do not have ready access to innovation development support, infrastructure, funding, or training
- Is willing to commit time to the programme activities for a maximum period of 24 months
- Preference will be given to applicants from North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape
Minimum Requirement
- Requirements for application:
- The stage of development of the solution
- Innovation in the use of technology and the quality of the solution to solving the problem
- Technical and financial feasibility of developing the solution
- Demonstration of clear social impact for a targeted market
- Whether a vision for the commercialization viability of the innovation has been articulated
For more information, visit https://www.tia.org.za/blog/2022/02/10/gip-call/