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Join the ecosystem

The path of a visionary can be hard, complex and lonely. We have to interact with a complex network of organisations and people, and have to make decisions on issues that are difficult and often confusing. Not knowing what to do, or when to do it, often means having to work longer hours, sometimes with people who don’t always understand our vision for a better tomorrow. But it doesn’t always have to be that way.

We invite you to become a part of our Innovation Bridge Platform, a community designed to show you the way forward in this living, moving and complex ecosystem. You will be introduced to innovations; enterprises; business support offerings and investment opportunities, each playing their part in creating a prosperous African continent.

Just as living things thrive under perfect conditions, we believe that your endeavor’s can flourish in the right ecosystem.

Innovator

Are you an innovator?

You don’t want to start your own enterprise, but have a passion for creating new knowledge, processes, products, or models. You’re probably a researcher that wants others to benefit from your unique intellectual property and, looking to license or further develop your innovation.

Entrepreneur

Are you an Entrepreneur?

You want to be your own boss and have the drive to recognize opportunities and transform them into valuable enterprises. Or you already have an established enterprise(s).

Investor

Are you an Investor?

You want to support the creation of socio-economic wealth by investing monetary and non-monetary resources into services, enterprises and products. If so, start here:

Click Here

Do you guide, enable, and support the ecosystem?

You or your enterprise provide valuable support to innovators and entrepreneurs along their journey. Whether your support comes in the form of legal, business or financial advice or a fully-fledged incubator or technology station, we invite you to showcase your unique support offering to the ecosystem.

Ecosystem Supporter

Do you support or enable?

Does your organization enable and support our platform’s ecosystem roleplayers? If so, start here:

Take your business to the next level, become remarkable with local innovation.

Our country is filled with remarkable people and remarkable ideas. At the Department of Science and Innovation, we help businesses turn ideas into action by enabling local health innovation to grow our health industry while meeting the needs of society.

Happenings

Keep up to date with the latest ecosystem events and opportunities.

Nature-First Innovation Lab (NFIL) Accelerator Programme 2026

The Nature-First Innovation Lab (NFIL) is a 12-month accelerator programme designed to support African enterprises whose business models generate revenue directly from positive biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable natural resource management outcomes. The programme aims to help

International Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The European Commission has announced a forthcoming Horizon Europe funding opportunity aimed at accelerating the adoption, testing, validation, and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions in low- and middle-income countries, with a strong focus on strengthening AI innovation ecosystems

BioPANZA MSME Pipeline Pilot – Support the Management, Categorisation, Technical Support and Referral of MSMEs through the BioPANZA Diagnostic Assessment and Referral Tool

Opportunity Type Tender / Consultancy Opportunity Reference Number 7000012992 Closing Date 15 July 2026 (23:00 SAST) Programme Overview The ABS Compliant Biotrade in South(ern) Africa (ABioSA) Phase III, implemented by GIZ in partnership with South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the

Our Partners

The Innovation Bridge Portal is an initiative of the South African National Departments of Science & Innovation (DSI), and Small Business Development (DSBD). The initiative is supported by the European Union (EU) and its content does not necessarily reflect the views of the EU.