The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme of South Africa (GCIP-SA) has opened entries for its yearly competition, which is focused on highlighting the latest clean technology innovations and solutions, to entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The initiative aims to spur local technology innovations in energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste beneficiation, waterefficiency, green building and green transportation in support of the country’s national priorities.
Entries for the fourth edition of the competition will close on April 26.The programme combines a yearly competition and a business accelerator programme where SMEs and start-ups are continuously trained, mentored and assessed on their business models, investor pitches, communication and financial skills for the development of a more marketable and investor-attractive product and business.
A group of semi-finalists is selected through the competition to proceed to become inductees in the GCIP-SA’s business accelerator, which is aimed at assisting entrepreneurs and SMEs.Participants in the GCIP-SA programme also get the opportunity to showcase their innovations and a chance to win a monetary prize, in addition to a fully sponsored trip to San Francisco where they will compete on an international level as part of the Cleantech Open Global Forum in 2018.
One of the primary goals of the competition is to uncover South African clean technology innovations and technologies, which the GCIP-SA can help take to market.To enter, participants need to ensure their innovations are new and ground-breaking; are an adaptation of existing technologies; or use existing technologies in unique applications.
Innovations should be at proof-of-concept stage up to pre-commercialisation, with potential for commercialisation, and have protectable intellectual property.Entrants must also comprise a team of more than two people, one of whom must be a South African resident, citizen or legal alien.
