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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.

Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) – Embassy of Japan (Zambia)

Opportunity Type: Grant Funding Funding Organisation: Government of Japan – Embassy of Japan in Zambia Funding Amount: Up to JPY 10,000,000 (Approx. USD 66,000) Project Duration: Up to 12 months Application Deadline (Cycle 1): 31 March 2026 Application Deadline (Cycle 2): 31 July 2026 Overview The

SASUF-NRF Seed Grants for Collaborative Research

Opportunity Type: Research Funding / Seed Grant Funding Organisations: South Africa–Sweden University Forum (SASUF) & National Research Foundation (NRF) Application Deadline: 10 June 2026 Project Duration: Up to 2 years (Starting 1 August 2026) Number of Projects Funded: Up to 20 projects Overview

PRIMARY Open Call – Funding for Sustainable Agricultural Waste Valorisation in Europe

Funding Organisation: PRIMARY Project (Funded by the European Union – Horizon Europe) Funding Amount: Up to €150,000 for 3-partner consortia Up to €100,000 for 2-partner consortia Maximum €50,000 per partner Total funding available: €900,000 Application Deadline: 8 June 2026 (17:00 CET) Overview 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.