South African small and medium-sized businesses and individuals over the age of 17 have only one month left in which to enter their new or existing innovative business concepts into the Step-Up Technology Innovation Competition.
South Africa’s newest technology innovation competition has secured phenomenal interest for a competition in its inaugural year, but entrepreneurial hopefuls have only until 30 September to enter online via www.step-up.org.za.
Supported by the Technology Innovation Agency’s higher risk appetite and Sasol’s ChemCity incubator, the Step-Up Technology Innovation Competition will evaluate entries for inclusion in an extensive range of financial and non-financial support programmes.
The Step-Up Technology Innovation Competition seeks innovations in the health and biotechnology, chemicals, mining and manufacturing, information and communication technologies, food and agriculture, energy and green environment sectors.
“With the deadline looming, existing registrants and new entrants are encouraged to enter without delay, to allow them sufficient time to polish their entries and document uploads,” says former founding CEO of Proudly South African and Enablis, Martin Feinstein, who manages the competition.
In turn, the initiative offers finalists and winners access to prestigious local and international networks, mentorship and funding. These include global introductions to business leaders through the international partnership group, The SABLE Accelerator (South African Business Link to Experts).
With access to knowledge and networks also critical, Step-Up finalists and winners will share in the vibrant regional network-building and mentorship capacity of enterprise development bodies such as Enablis and SAINe, while qualifying innovations involving software development can enter into Microsoft’s Bizspark developer programme.
Winners will receive up to four hours of high-value consulting time with selected SABLE advisers, and a three-month engagement with experienced and reputable industry mentors. In partnership with the SA Business and Technology Incubation Association (SABTIA), entrants who would benefit from incubation will be referred as appropriate.