Deadline: June 30, 2025
Applications for the SA Tech Challenge 2025 are now open. The SA Tech Challenge is the most lucrative and exciting tech opportunity in South Africa to date. It is a collaboration between The Department of Science Technology and Innovation (DSTI) The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), The Innovation Bridge Portal (supported by the CSIR), The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
The challenge aims to integrate the various government departments to support scale up businesses in the tech sector. All category winners and top four finalists will be hosted at the G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20–DIA) summit which will be held in Cape Town where the winners from all the G20 countries and the guest countries will showcase their solutions to the global community of investors, mentors, corporates, and other government stakeholders.
Categories
- Digital Platforms: Scalable platform solutions connecting user groups, addressing market inefficiencies, and creating new digital ecosystems, especially for underserved markets.
- FinTech: Innovative digital solutions for improved financial management, access, and inclusion, particularly for underserved populations, demonstrating regulatory compliance, security and scalability.
- Secured Digital Infrastructure: Solutions strengthening cybersecurity, data protection, and system resilience, addressing critical security challenges and enhancing digital trust, especially for MSMEs with limited security resources.
- Circular Economy: Solutions to reuse and regenerate materials or products that demonstrate clear business value while addressing environmental challenges of linear consumption.
- Innovations for Connectivity: Digital solutions that bridge the digital divide and enhance network infrastructure, including technologies that improve internet access, strengthen telecommunications, or enable affordable use of smart devices and IoT.
- Innovations for Development: Digital solutions in agriculture, healthcare, and education that improve productivity, access, and delivery while creating social impact and business value.
Prizes
- Prize allocations are as follows:
- 1st – R1 million
- 2nd – R750,000
- 3rd – R500,000
- 4th, 5th and 6th – R250,000 each.
- The top five finalists per category will also be invited to the G20 Digital Innovation Alliance Summit in Cape Town from 24 to 26 September 2025.
- The winners will also receive non-financial support from different government agencies to support their post-competition business development.
Eligibility
They are looking for formal Micro, Small and Medium (MSME) technology enterprises from South Africa who meet the following criteria:
- Enterprise Stage – Must be post-revenue with less than 250 employees and less than R250 million annual turnover.
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) – Your technology or solution should be at a minimum of TRL 7 as per The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) guidelines. It should be post-prototype, with demonstrated use by clients and implemented in relevant environments.
- Impact – Must address at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with potential for regional/global growth with quantifiable social outcomes.
- Ownership – Companies should be owned and headquartered in South Africa and meet all compliance requirements as per CIPC and SARS.
- Sector Categories – Operate in, or serve any of the following 6 sector categories:
- Digital Platforms
- FinTech
- Secured Digital Infrastructure
- Circular Economy
- Innovations for Connectivity
- Innovations for Development (Agri-tech, Health-tech, Ed-tech)
Application
After submission, you will receive a confirmation e-mail, and your application will be reviewed by ourthe team. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews or presentations. Successful applicants will then be selected to participate in the G20 Competition.
For more information, visit SA Tech Challenge.
