R1-million is up for grabs in the Seed Engine Business Accelerator.
Applications are open for the competition, which is offering R100 000 for up to 10 technology business ideas. Prizes also include a 13-week boot camp.
The programme offers coaching, mentoring, workspace and access to investors on demo day where more than R2-million per venture can be raised for second-round funding.
Seed Engine has already selected six ventures for its first 13-week accelerator boot camp from more than 300 applications. The boot camp is underway in Sandton, Johannesburg with the first demo day taking place on 3 May. A number of these businesses have been selected for international start-up competitions and have started to raise additional capital.
Marc Elias, CEO of Seed Engine, says: “The search is on to find up to 10 distinctive and disruptive business concepts. There’s been a dearth of tech start-ups in South Africa, but we are turning this around by growing an integrated ecosystem which will contribute to job creation.
“We are looking for early stage entrepreneurs who have ideas which have international application. Seed Engine is South Africa’s first true business accelerator and we are looking to grow ideas into top commercial realities. We offer entrepreneurs extensive support and access to the right investor networks.”
The Seed Engine accelerator model includes seven main features:
* A highly competitive application process;
* Seed capital in exchange for equity;
* Focus on small teams, not necessarily one founder;
* Intensive mentoring and coaching and a fixed calendar of events;
* Ten ventures per accelerator programme;
* Introduction to investors for further funding; and
* International exposure.
The programme offers coaching, mentoring, workspace and access to investors on demo day where more than R2-million per venture can be raised for second-round funding.
Seed Engine has already selected six ventures for its first 13-week accelerator boot camp from more than 300 applications. The boot camp is underway in Sandton, Johannesburg with the first demo day taking place on 3 May. A number of these businesses have been selected for international start-up competitions and have started to raise additional capital.
Marc Elias, CEO of Seed Engine, says: “The search is on to find up to 10 distinctive and disruptive business concepts. There’s been a dearth of tech start-ups in South Africa, but we are turning this around by growing an integrated ecosystem which will contribute to job creation.
“We are looking for early stage entrepreneurs who have ideas which have international application. Seed Engine is South Africa’s first true business accelerator and we are looking to grow ideas into top commercial realities. We offer entrepreneurs extensive support and access to the right investor networks.”
The Seed Engine accelerator model includes seven main features:
* A highly competitive application process;
* Seed capital in exchange for equity;
* Focus on small teams, not necessarily one founder;
* Intensive mentoring and coaching and a fixed calendar of events;
* Ten ventures per accelerator programme;
* Introduction to investors for further funding; and
* International exposure.