TIA Seed Fund Programme: Call for Expressions of Interest – Implementing Partners (2026)
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has issued a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to appoint Seed Fund Implementing Partners under its Seed Fund Programme (SFP).
The Seed Fund Programme was established to address a persistent gap within South Africa’s National System of Innovation: the high failure rate of innovations that do not progress beyond proof-of-concept and early market validation stages. Many promising technologies struggle to secure structured support, technical validation, and early-stage funding required to reach commercial viability.
Through this call, TIA seeks to appoint capable ecosystem organisations to collaborate in advancing early-stage technology-based innovations from proof-of-concept through piloting, validation, and commercial readiness.
The objective is to:
- Strengthen early-stage innovation support mechanisms
- Build a pipeline of investor-ready, technology-based ventures
- Improve commercialisation outcomes for South African-developed technologies
- Expand inclusive access to innovation support across priority provinces
The Seed Fund operates through a partnership-based delivery model. Appointed Implementing Partners will work closely with TIA to identify, assess, support, and monitor innovative projects and startups.
Scope of Work and Required Capabilities
TIA is seeking partners with demonstrated expertise in one or both of the following stages:
1. Proof-of-Concept and Technology Validation
Support for innovators in early-stage development, including:
- Customer discovery processes
- Technical validation
- Early feasibility assessments
2. Technology Piloting, Market Validation and Access
Support for startups preparing for commercial entry, including:
- Pilot implementation
- Market demand validation
- Scaling readiness and investment preparation
Expected Services from Implementing Partners
Implementing Partners will be required to deliver:
- Pipeline development and deal origination
- Pre-incubation and pre-funding support programmes
- Screening and investment readiness support
- Technical, market, intellectual property, commercial and financial due diligence
- Post-investment monitoring and portfolio support
- Stakeholder engagement and facilitation of industry linkages
Geographic Focus
For proof-of-concept and validation support, priority provinces include:
- Mpumalanga
- North West
- Northern Cape
- Limpopo
- Free State
- KwaZulu-Natal
Organisations not based in these provinces may still apply, provided they demonstrate credible and sufficiently resourced strategies to deliver services effectively within these regions.
Who Should Apply
This call is open to South African organisations with proven capability in early-stage innovation support, including:
- Technology incubators
- Accelerators
- Enterprise development agencies
- Emerging fund managers
- Ecosystem intermediaries with experience in deep-tech and technology commercialisation
- Universities and Technology Transfer Offices
- Science Councils
- Regional Development Agencies
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a legally registered South African entity in good standing
- Have valid tax compliance status
- Demonstrate a verifiable track record in early-stage innovation support and technology commercialisation
- Demonstrate capacity, resources, and personnel to deliver services
- Commit to complying with the TIA Seed Fund Investment Framework
EOI Submission Requirements
EOIs must include detailed information covering:
Organisational profile and governance
Track record and regional delivery plan
Institutional capacity and assessment capability
Investment strategy and portfolio management
Enterprise and portfolio support mechanisms
Finance and fund administration systems
Monitoring, evaluation, compliance and reporting frameworks
Proposals must align with the TIA Seed Fund Investment Framework.
Country
South Africa
Key Dates
Submission Deadline: 31 March 2026 (Close of Business)
Briefing Session: 04 March 2026 at 13:00 (Online – MS Teams)
Submission Details
Completed application packs must be submitted electronically to:
Late submissions will not be considered.