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!
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!
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
African Applied Chemical (Pty) Ltd is a bio-technology company that specialises in the manufacture of a proprietary slow release fibres (Bi-KoTM). These fibres are made mainly from polypropylene copolymer. The fibres are specially engineered to store a high amount of liquid within their matrix and slowly release small amounts over a long period of time.
This technology is aimed at slowly releasing high value actives in order to prolong their residual effectiveness and reduce the overall cost of their use in practical applications.
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CapeBio Technologies intends to develop a state-of-the-art AI platform to mine metagenomic data for novel antimicrobial peptide genes. This is a machine-learning and data-science-driven application that allows for better and novel detection of medically important genes that can be used to fight diseases such as cancer and tuberculosis.
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Durban University of Technology - Putting Knowledge on Top – Steve Biko Library is a central learning and research facility. It houses one of DUT's Writing Centres; an academic support service where trained tutors help students develop writing skills across disciplines, from structuring dissertations to crafting professional documents.
The library is not only a space for accessing books and e-resources but also a vibrant community focal point, aligned with DUT's broader goals of fostering innovation, literacy, and academic success under the ENVISION2030 strategy.
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Fluorobiotech was founded during the global pandemic, in response to the urgent need for accessible and affordable biotechnology solutions. The company commits itself to bridging this gap by pioneering affordable, cutting-edge biotechnology solutions tailored to emerging markets.
Fluorobiotech offers a self-prep technology designed to burst cells open automatically without mechanical disruption or added chemicals. This genetic modification enables rapid, efficient protein release, simplifying the protein extraction process, reducing costs, and improving repeatability for protein production.
Read moreInnovation Fund Open and Closed Calls
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 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!