Interest-free loans, investment on offer in Cell C Innovation Challenge

Are you a South African with an innovative business idea relevant to the information and communications technology (ICT) sector?

Mobile network operator Cell C has in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) launched the Cell C Innovation Challenge through which it will offer eligible innovators interest-free loans over five years and or significant investment.

In addition, successful participants also stand to become a supplier in the Cell C supply chain.

Cell C Innovation Challenge pitching events will take place in Johannesburg on 30 and 31 October

Cell C states on a post on its website that products or solutions presented need to be utilise mobile technologies and must be commercially viable as well as scalable.

One doesn’t need to have a business to be considered, but should one have a business it needs to be at least 51% black owned for the application to be considered.

There is no deadline for submissions. However successful applicants will be notified within 30 days of submitting their ideas.

Entries will be evaluated according to:

• Technical functionality and feasibility, that is resources at hand, functionality and reliability in local conditions
• Social impact, particularly potential to help solve basic problems or challenges, as well as income generation, job and training opportunities
• Business plan
• Team organisation, particularly team competence and experience

An expert panel will conduct initial screening and identify a shortlist of finalists who will then present to a second expert panel at initial pitching events which will be held on 30 and 31 October at the Cell C Campus in Buccleuch, Johannesburg.

Featured image: Cell C (Facebook)