The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand’s (Wits') Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency and Dogpatch Labs Ireland have announced the selection of seven tech startups for the Tech Challenge South Africa 2024.

Now in its third successive year, the collaboration aims to forge mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise, leveraging Ireland’s global tech hub status.

This year’s challenge saw more than 350 entries from South African-owned, growth-stage tech startups focused on fulfilling the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

The seven selected startups will undergo an intensive pre-acceleration programme with workshops, masterclasses and mentorship sessions in South Africa.

These will conclude with a showcase at Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, in Johannesburg, at the end of August.  

Thereafter, they will head to Ireland in September for an acceleration programme with Dogpatch Labs, a 500-member strong startup and innovation hub located in Dublin.

SELECTED INNOVATORS

Charnté Marthinus – Smartview Technology. SmartView Technology provides enterprise-grade utility management solutions.  

Its advanced software and mobile application allows for real-time monitoring and management of consumption, aimed at allowing businesses to easily control costs, improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Ahren Posthumus – Momint. Momint uses blockchain technology to ensure capital is invested in renewable-energy projects in a fast and safe way.

It does this by fractionalising renewable-energy projects, enabling individuals to co-invest in the financing of the projects.

Priaash Ramadeen – The Awareness Company. The Awareness Company is a situational awareness company that uses data to help organisations achieve operational efficiency and sustainability through its software product, Hydra.

This integrates with organisations’ sensors and third-party systems, thereby enabling automated data storytelling and insights.

Jabulani Nyembe – Athena. Athena enables affordable access to healthcare services through a platform that allows patients to pay their medical treatment costs in monthly installments.

It uses technology to administer this process for both doctors and patients.

Michelle Geere – AdBot. AdBot provides online advertising solutions for small business owners by handling all their digital marketing needs through its AdBot.

It aims to make online advertising easy, effective and accessible.

Prudence Simelane – Samanjalo. Samanjalo is a fly ash beneficiation business that uses geo-polymer technology to turn coal waste (fly ash) into green products such as green cement, bricks, pavers and barricades, for use in construction and infrastructure environments.

Kgololo Lekoma – Credipple. Credipple is a talent marketplace for trusted creative and digital professionals.

It aims to reduce the friction in the process of hiring remote work professionals by matching clients to trusted professionals and streamlining the admin processes, to streamline collaboration.

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.

“We look forward to their journeys and the impact they will have in promoting inclusive economic growth in South Africa,” 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.

“The talent and innovation we’ve seen this year are testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in South Africa. Our role in nurturing these startups in the pre-acceleration phase at the Tshimologong Precinct has always been immensely rewarding, and we’re 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.