The winning cohort of the 2023 Irish Tech Challenge South Africa has travelled to Ireland for a ten-day curated immersion and networking programme with access to top industry leaders and potential for further funding.

The five South African startups developed innovative United Nations Sustainable Development Goal- (UN SDG-) aligned solutions, and were selected from 266 applications.

The innovations, which include agricultural, biological and healthcare technology, demonstrate the depth and diversity of talent in the South African technology landscape, states Irish Tech Challenge South Africa.

The startups travelled to Dublin on February 9, and are now poised to grow their entities by leveraging Ireland's growing status as a major global technology and innovation hub, which draws from the vast pool of Irish industry experts, investors and fellow innovators.

Further, as a European Union member State, Ireland further serves as a gateway to the European market and beyond for these high-impact South African startups.

The five winning startups are healthcare startups Zoie Health founder Thato Schermer and PeleBox founder Neo Hutiri, human resources startup Foonda Africa founder Vuyo Pakade, biological technology startup AfroBodies founder Dr Benedicta Durcan, and agricultural technology startup Desert Green Africa co-founder Tumelo Chiloane.

The showcase, in Dublin, highlights the accomplishments of these five entrepreneurs, and also serves as an opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange between South Africa and Ireland, says Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa Austin Gormley.

“This initiative is testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing global challenges through South African-developed solutions combined with Irish expertise.

“The solutions promoted by these entrepreneurs have the potential to create a positive and lasting impact in South Africa and beyond, supporting the broader goals of sustainable development,” he adds.

The Irish-South African partnership has proven to be a remarkable success and has created a dynamic platform for technology startups to thrive, comments Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) international cooperation and resources deputy director-general Daan du Toit.

“The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa stands as a shining example of how bilateral relations can drive progress in the technology industry. It has not only facilitated the exchange of ideas, but has also laid the foundation for enduring partnerships that will continue to shape the technological landscape for years to come,” he adds.

The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa is a partnership between the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the DSI, the Technology Innovation Agency, along with implementing partners Tshimologong Digital Precinct from South Africa and Dogpatch Labs from Ireland.

It was launched in 2022 and serves as a model of effective inter-governmental, public and private partnerships that stimulate the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It builds on the historical ties between Ireland and South Africa and highlights the crucial role of both local and international stakeholders collaborating to support startups in their growth journey.

It amplifies the commitment of Ireland and South Africa to incentivise mutually beneficial partnerships between Irish technology expertise and South African entrepreneurs, while fostering technological advancements and creating a global network of innovators committed to positive change, the organisations say.