Top Seven Local Innovators Make it to the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024
Top Seven Local Innovators Make it to the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024
The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency, the University of the Witwatersrand’s (Wits') Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct and Dogpatch Labs Ireland, proudly announces the selection of seven tech startup finalists for the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024.
With over 350 entries received from South African-owned, growth-stage tech startups focused on fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the challenge aims to forge mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise, harnessing Ireland’s position as a global high-tech hub.
The seven selected startups will undergo on a pre-acceleration programme with workshops, masterclasses and mentorship sessions in South Africa, concluding with a showcase at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct at the end of August.
The Irish Tech Challenge will award the seven selected entrepreneurs up to €10 000 each in funding, a funded trip to Ireland where they will be part of a curated business networking programme with access to the country’s top business leaders; access to the Irish tech ecosystem with potential opportunities for further funding; and acceleration support to position their global scaling strategy in collaboration with Dogpatch Labs.
“This initiative exemplifies the strength of Irish-South African collaboration in technology and innovation. It underscores Ireland’s commitment to fostering global technological partnerships and supporting young entrepreneurs in realising their potential on the world stage,” says Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa Austin Gormley.
“The Irish Tech Challenge represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between South African ingenuity and global markets. Through this partnership, we are unlocking new opportunities for our local tech entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to sustainable economic development,” says DSI acting director-general Daan du Toit.
“Our role in nurturing these startups in the pre-acceleration phase at the Tshimologong Precinct has always been immensely rewarding, and we are excited to see how they evolve and make their mark globally,” says Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct CEO Mark Harris.
“We are excited to play a part in South Africa’s brightest tech startups journey. We believe in the power of cross-border collaboration to catalyse innovation, and this challenge is a perfect example of how international partnerships can ignite transformative growth in the tech sector,” says Dogpatch Labs Ireland entrepreneur-in-residence Hesus Inoma.
The selected innovators and start-ups are:
- Charnté Marthinus, Smartview Technology
- Ahren Posthumus, Momint
- Priaash Ramadeen, The Awareness Company
- Jabulani Nyembe, Athena
- Michelle Geere, AdBot
- Prudence Simelane, Samanjalo
- Kgololo Lekoma, Credipple
Register now to attend the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024 Showcase, to see and experience the top seven South African tech startups who are finalists of the tech challenge on the 30th of August 2024.
