Deadline: April 26, 2017
The GEF (Global Environment Facility), UNIDO (the United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and TIA (the Technology Innovation Agency) in South Africa are implementing the GCIP (Global Cleantech Innovation Programme) for SMEs to promote clean technology innovation and supporting SMEs and start-ups working on solutions related to energy efficiency, green buildings, renewable energy, Transportation, waste beneficiation and water efficiency.
The programme combines a competition and a business accelerator to offer participants progressing through the programme extensive mentoring, training, access to investors and opportunities to showcase their innovations to the media and the public. Participants stand a chance to win a cash award and national business support awards, in addition to a trip to Silicon Valley, CA, to participate in the Cleantech Open Global Forum.
Categories
Technology innovations should contribute to GHG mitigation through solutions in one or more of the following categories:
- Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy
- Waste Benefication
- Water Efficiency
- Green Building
- Green Transportation
Cost and Benefits
- Participants stand a chance to win a cash award and national business support awards, in addition to a trip to Silicon Valley, CA, to participate in the Cleantech Open Global Forum;
- Finalists who do not reside in the province where the awards event is held will be provided travel (round trip within South Africa) and accommodation for one person to attend;
- Travel and accommodation costs for semi-finalists are covered by GCIP-SA for all compulsory events..
Eligibility
All entries must:
- Fit the definition of one of the Competition’s six clean technology and innovation categories and respective classification criteria;
- Be a start-up company, typically less than 3 years in existence but not yet profitable OR an established SMME as defined by the Small Business Act (No. 102, 1996);
- Demonstrate exclusive ownership of Intellectual Property Rights;
- Be from a two person team, minimum
- At least one team member must be a South African resident, citizen, or legal alien (proof needs to be provided).
- You may form a brand new team in order to apply to the Programme, and you do not need to have a registered company in order to apply. However, a South African legal entity (corporation, Pty (Ltd), or similar) must be created prior to receiving any prizes and any such legal entity must have an ownership structure typical of an independent start-up/SMME.
- You must have a physical address in South Africa, and your team or company must have activities, such as sales, marketing, research and development, or administration, based in South Africa.
Application Process
- Complete the online application
For more information, visit Global Cleantech Innovation Programme.
