Innovation Fund Overview
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South Africa is driving innovation to attract private sector investment, create jobs, and enhance economic competitiveness. Through targeted innovation funding programmes, the fund is empowering startups and tech-enabled SMEs to scale and succeed. Be part of this transformative movement and help shape the future of our economy. Innovative startups and tech-driven SMEs are the backbone of economic growth and job creation. Yet, too many fail due to a lack of early-stage funding. The Innovation Fund is here to change that. Established as a pilot, the fund is designed to bridge the critical funding gap, accelerate the commercialization of locally developed intellectual property, and drive the growth of high-tech enterprises. By de-risking early-stage investments, we are building a pipeline of sustainable, high-growth startups, ensuring South African innovation competes on a global scale. |
Discover South Africa's Vision for Science, Technology and Innovation!
The Decadal Plan is South Africa’s bold roadmap to transform science, technology, and innovation (STI) landscape. As the official implementation plan of the country's White Paper on STI, it outlines national priorities and strategies for the next decade.
Attract additional private sector investments into South Africa’s innovation ecosystem and venture capital industry.
Encourage the development and commercialisation of locally developed intellectual property as well as innovative products and services.
Provide catalytic (risk) capital backing to early-stage startups and tech-enabled SMMEs.
Strengthen infrastructure and support systems for innovation and venture building, including venture studios, incubators, accelerators, hubs, etc. to ensure a robust and interconnected ecosystem.
Build the human capabilities necessary to strengthen South Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Download the Innovation Fund report now and explore how we’re driving startup growth, innovation, and economic transformation. Get your copy today!
Innovation Fund Overview
|
South Africa is driving innovation to attract private sector investment, create jobs, and enhance economic competitiveness. Through targeted innovation funding programmes, the fund is empowering startups and tech-enabled SMEs to scale and succeed. Be part of this transformative movement and help shape the future of our economy. Innovative startups and tech-driven SMEs are the backbone of economic growth and job creation. Yet, too many fail due to a lack of early-stage funding. The Innovation Fund is here to change that. Established as a pilot, the fund is designed to bridge the critical funding gap, accelerate the commercialization of locally developed intellectual property, and drive the growth of high-tech enterprises. By de-risking early-stage investments, we are building a pipeline of sustainable, high-growth startups, ensuring South African innovation competes on a global scale. |
Discover South Africa's Vision for Science, Technology and Innovation!
The Decadal Plan is South Africa’s bold roadmap to transform science, technology, and innovation (STI) landscape. As the official implementation plan of the country's White Paper on STI, it outlines national priorities and strategies for the next decade.
Attract additional private sector investments into South Africa’s innovation ecosystem and venture capital industry.
Encourage the development and commercialisation of locally developed intellectual property as well as innovative products and services.
Provide catalytic (risk) capital backing to early-stage startups and tech-enabled SMMEs.
Strengthen infrastructure and support systems for innovation and venture building, including venture studios, incubators, accelerators, hubs, etc. to ensure a robust and interconnected ecosystem.
Build the human capabilities necessary to strengthen South Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Download the Innovation Fund report now and explore how we’re driving startup growth, innovation, and economic transformation. Get your copy today!
Innovation Capital
The Innovation Fund has continued to fuel South Africa’s innovation ecosystem by supporting its implementing partners through multiple Venture Capital Funds. Through its direct investment model, the Fund has also partnered with 27Four, Anza Capital and CSIR C3 strengthening access to finance for game-changing start-ups and SMEs.
Click on each Venture Capital Fund's logo to discover how they are powering innovation and shaping South Africa’s future.
Innovation Investments
Hyrax Biosciences is an award-winning genetic software company that takes the complexity out of sequence data analysis for companies around the world. Its automated platform, Exatype, a leading bioinformatics software platform, combines scalable tech and unique algorithms to deliver detailed and accurate genotype reports, without the need for human intervention or the threat of human error.
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Hypernova Space is a technology company that develops innovative space hardware & provides thermal vacuum test services for the aerospace industry.
Kena Health is an app-based telemedicine solution in South Africa which has, to date, facilitated more than 20,000 consultations. With the Kena Health™ App, you can talk directly to a nurse, doctor or mental health professional using text, voice, or video. The app is currently available on both the Android (Google) and Apple app stores. It is a value-based care telemedicine offering which allows patients to speak to doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals in an app-based interface.
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The Kirontech Platform empowers health insurers with focused solutions for payment integrity, data integrity and readiness, and health outcomes and quality. Intuitive, comprehensive, accurate Fraud, Waste, and Abuse detection, investigation and Health Outcomes Management.
Read moreInnovation Fund Open and Closed Calls
Call for Proposal – South Africa-Russia Joint Innovation Call
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) jointly with the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) hereby invite Proposals for funding joint call initiative for the South Africa-Russia call to be implemented in the 2024/25 financial year. The aim of the Call Read more
Call for Applications: SA Tech Challenge
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation's (DSTI) Innovation Bridge Portal is calling all South African tech innovators to apply for the SA Tech Challenge 2025 and stand a chance to win R1 million in funding, gain global exposure at the G20 Summit in Cape Town Read more
Innovation Reports
Stay informed with our latest publications, reports, success stories and insights—your gateway to understanding how innovation is shaping the future. Discover how groundbreaking technologies, impactful collaborations are transforming industries and communities.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation's (DSTI) Innovation Bridge Portal, in partnership with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, announces the launch of the inaugural South African Tech Challenge 2025.
The SA Tech Challenge aims to identify and elevate the most impactful and scalable small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) across South Africa's digital
Read moreThe Innovation Fund is committed to fuelling South Africa's potential through strategic investments that drive economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness. The fund provides innovators with access to networks and capital, empowering them to develop solutions that not only enhance quality of life but also promote environmental sustainability.
Explore our latest reports and be part of the ecosystem!