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 SMMEs to scale and succeed. Be part of this transformative movement and help shape the future of our economy. Innovative startups and tech-driven SMMEs 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 SMMEs to scale and succeed. Be part of this transformative movement and help shape the future of our economy. Innovative startups and tech-driven SMMEs 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
To date (2024-2025 Financial year), the Innovation Fund has disbursed R917.2 million to its implementing partners, through 10 Venture Capital Funds. On direct funds investment model, the fund also committed to 27Four and Anza Capital through two Venture Capital Funds.
Click on each Venture Capital Fund's logo to learn more about them.
Innovation Investments
Button Optics is a low-cost all in one laser diagnostic device that can measure various laser characteristics from a single measurement, which can also work in reverse as a structured light creation device.
It is a technology spin-out company from the Structured Light Lab. Their mission is to commercialize ground-breaking and exciting research, produce high-tech solutions for a variety of applications and stimulate the local industry through international competitiveness.
Read more
Defence Cluster's Passive Radar for Air Traffic Control is a class of radar that makes use of third-party illuminators. For example, public broadcasting services such as frequency modulation radio, to illuminate an aircraft(s) of interest and subsequently locate and track these aircrafts by processing the signals reflected from the aircraft.
Given the absence of a dedicated transmitter subsystem in passive radar systems, it serves as a cost-effective radar solution that requires no spectrum licensing, consumes significantly less power, requires minimal equipment and has reduced maintenance.
Read more
Bambara Groundnut and Carob Pod in Functional Concentrates and Beverages project utilises Bambara groundnut malt extract [BGNME] and Carob pod molasses [CPM] in functional concentrates and beverages without added sugar for human nutrition.
Read more
Durban University of Technology's Black composite brake pad is a black composite brake pad developed offers improved braking force leading to shorter stopping distances, lesser wear rate interpreted to improved durability, improved cooling interpreted to improved heat dissipation, lesser noise, and is environmentally friendly.
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!