Technology Innovation Agency

The DSTI and TIA hosted Grassroots Innovation Awards alongside the 2024 Science Forum. The objective of the Grassroots Innovation Awards is to recognise, celebrate, and award excellence and project impact in the design and delivery of key strategic programmes of the DSTI (Grassroots Innovation Programme, Living Labs Programme and mLabs Programme) and TIA’s Centres for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Collectively, these 4 programmes support in excess of 500 grassroots innovators through various support packages and initiatives.   The Grassroots Innovation Programme is aimed at supporting and commercialising local innovations from ordinary citizens who are individual with ideas to solve local challenges using local resources and own capabilities outside the realm of formal innovation institutions.   There were eight awards categories: -      Outstanding Youth Grassroots Innovator – First prize winner - Nkosinathi Mbele -      Outstanding Women Grassroots Innovator – First prize winner - Annemarie Bremmer -      Disability Innovation Award – First prize winner - Shakila Maharaj -      Social Impact Award – First prize winner - Keletso Lekwakwe -      Innovator in the market generating revenue Award – First prize winner - Thulile Mthethwa -      Sales beyond SA borders with export potential Award – First prize winner - Annemarie Bremmer -      The Lab supporting Grassroots Innovators Award – First prize winner - Innovate Durban Living Lab -      Grassroots Innovator of the year Award – Winner - Sydwell Sihlangu.   Congratulations to all the finalists and winners!

TIA in collaboration with the CSIR unveiled a new point-of-care diagnostic device to detect avian influenza (bird flu) and foot-and-mouth disease. This CSIR developed technology, which was funded by TIA, will address outbreaks of these diseases on farms. The introduction and implementation of cutting-edge technologies, such as point-of-care devices for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and avian influenza (AIV), are critical in addressing South Africa’s long-standing challenges in managing notifiable and reportable diseases. These issues have persisted for years but the recent outbreaks of FMD have highlighted and exacerbated the challenges faced by farmers. The technology has been licensed to a local company, TokaBio for commercialisation. 

TIA is committed to transformation and inclusive innovation.

TIA is a partner for the AfriLabs Annual gathering taking place in Cape Town on 06 - 08 November. AfriLabs is a network organisation that is committed to driving innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent by bringing together technology hubs, startups, investors, and other key stakeholders in the ecosystem. https://lnkd.in/dErX7VhP

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In a major boost to South Africa's start-up technology sector, the SA SME Fund, the DSI, TIA, and impact investor E Squared have launched a R300 million Seed Fund of Funds aimed at providing critical early-stage capital to startups. The agreement was signed on Monday,30 September in Hyde Park Johannesburg. This initiative aims to fund at least 50 technology-driven startups through experienced fund managers, with a focus on innovation and transformation in South Africa. TIA has been pivotal in driving this initiative. The fund addresses a key gap in South Africa's venture capital ecosystem, where later-stage investments, such as Series A and Series B, have historically attracted more funding. This investment marks a significant milestone in strengthening South Africa’s venture capital landscape. As the fund prepares to allocate capital to at least five skilled fund managers, it is expected to drive the success of dozens of technology startups and empower entrepreneurs over the next few years.

#SAIS 2024 Join TIA led session , Panelists will share experiences and lessons on enabling factors and successful collaborations in the DeepTech space.