SA social enterprises have a week left to apply for Google Impact Challenge

South African non-profits and social enterprises with innovative ideas regarding economic opportunity creation within their communities have until next week Wednesday (4 July) to apply for Google’s Impact Challenge South Africa.

The initiative, which is running for the first time in South Africa, provides 12 selected finalists with access to between $125 000 and $250 000 in grant funding, mentorship and other resources.

The top four winners of the Google Impact Challenge South Africa will each receive a $250 000 grant

A panel of local judges, which includes Basetsana Khumalo, Yvone Chaka Chaka, BCX chief digital officer and founder of Rekindle Learning Rapelang Rabana, and Google South Africa country director Luke McKend, will select the finalists.

In addition, the public will — over three weeks, between 5 November and 25 November — be able to vote for their favourite idea among the 12 finalists.

The 12 will then pitch their solutions to the judges at a final event where the top three winners will be selected along with a people’s choice winner. The four winners are set to each receive a $250 000 grant as well as training from Google, while the remaining eight finalists will each receive grants worth $125 000.

In order to be considered for selection, submitted entries must:

• Create economic opportunity and improve the lives of South Africans
• Present innovative, unexpected solutions to unmet needs
• Have the potential to scale directly , or be able to serve as a model for other communities
• Be feasible and well planned, while the submitting team must demonstrate an ability to execute said plan