Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme
Overview
The Growth for Jobs economic strategy has identified technology and innovation as priority focus areas to stimulate growth and drive the development of the Western Cape economy. Our ambition is to become Africa’s tech capital globally competitive, job-absorbing, and attractive to investment.
A strong and growing Western Cape tech and innovation ecosystem including venture capital is critical to achieving our economic goals for the province. Over the coming year, DEDAT aims to support the local tech sector by strengthening the ecosystem through:
- Building and empowering local tech and innovation ecosystem enablers;
- Strengthening and expanding linkages between technology and business to improve product development, market access, and supply chains;
- Convening thought leadership to enhance the competitiveness of tech sub-sectors and niches, and to address structural and regulatory barriers;
- Supporting excellence in innovation, commercialisation, and business acumen, while capitalising on the region’s tech start-up culture through partnerships. This includes initiatives with founders, expanding mentoring opportunities, and opening avenues to attract funding for tech entrepreneurs.
The department will kick off support for the tech ecosystem through our Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme.
Why ecosystem-enablement?
Our department recognises that ecosystem-builders play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of innovation and risk-taking, which is essential for the growth of knowledge-intensive industries.
By providing a supportive environment, ecosystem-builders allow entrepreneurs to experiment, learn from their mistakes, and collaborate with other stakeholders and enablers. Ecosystem-builders contribute to creating the conditions that are necessary to thrive.
Moreover, ecosystem-builders are essential players in creating an environment where tech & innovation businesses grow, learn, and connect with each other. They are crucial for building and supporting the tech startup community and providing the resources and support that entrepreneurs need to succeed.
Western Cape Technology & Innovation Ecosystem-Builders Support Programme
DEDAT provided funding specifically to support technology ecosystem builders based in the Western Cape up to R1,000,000 (one million rand) per annum for a period of three (3) years.
A Call-for-Proposals was issued to intermediaries to support technology sector ecosystem enablement initiatives.
Important Note: DEDAT adopted a thematic approach to ecosystem enablement, meaning that it did not focus on a broad or generic technology ecosystem approach. Instead, it focused on specific technology sub-sectors, whether technology domains (e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Deeptech, Cybersecurity, Drones/UAVs, Robotics, etc.) or technology-sector verticals (e.g. Fintech, Venture Capital, Agri-tech, Climate-tech, eCommerce, Aerospace, Manufacturing-tech, etc.).
The proposals were required to address the following features:
- Intermediary organisations were required to demonstrate that they had the existing internal resources and capabilities to support a minimum of 40 technology and innovation businesses annually through events, initiatives, programmes, or projects.
- Applicants were required to propose methods to improve competitiveness through ecosystem enablement within the specific technology sub-sector in the Western Cape and explain how programmes would be delivered through coordinated platforms.
- Intermediary organisations had to demonstrate a sound understanding of the landscape, including the challenges and opportunities facing the specific local technology sub-sector for which they applied.
- Applicants were required to indicate clear alignment with the Growth for Jobs (G4J) Strategy, particularly the Technology and Innovation Priority Focus Area.
- Proposed programmes were required to include clear and measurable outputs, as well as mechanisms to track, monitor, and evaluate impact.
- Organisations applying to the fund were required to demonstrate access to a strong network of collaborative partners across the private and public sectors. They also needed to show access to internal stakeholders who could facilitate knowledge sharing, critical skills development, business networking, market access, and capital-raising opportunities both nationally and internationally. Only established organisations were considered.
- The funding was intended specifically to enhance and expand existing programmes that supported technology and innovation ecosystem development. DEDAT funding could not be used as the primary source of funding for an organisation. Applicants were therefore required to demonstrate that they were financially sustainable, operationally active, and not dependent on the programme for their continued existence.
- The programme fund was subject to budget availability. Although it remained an open fund, applicants were encouraged to submit funding applications as early as possible. Applications received were evaluated on a monthly basis, or as required, against the established evaluation criteria.
Who to contact
For further information on the programme, kindly email dedat.broadband@westerncape.gov.za and olivia.dyers@westerncape.gov.za