Applications for GCIP-SA competition and business accelerator now open

Applications are now open for the 2018 Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for startups in South Africa (GCIP-SA).

The programme is part of a global initiative that aims to address environmental and economic challenges as well as issues around energy through the promotion of clean technology innovation.

This year’s competition will focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste beneficiation (including e-waste), water efficiency, green buildings, green transportation and environmental protection.

Applications for the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for SMMEs in South Africa close on 2 May

The programme, which for the past four years been run as a donor-funded project, was this year incorporated into the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).

UNIDO and non-profit The Cleantech Open partner with TIA on the initiative.

TIA project administrator Constance Mashabela told Ventureburn that between 20 and 30 applicants will be selected for the GCIP-SA semi-finals. Mashabela added that the semi-finalists will then be whittled down to 10 final contestants with the top three winners joining the GCIP-SA business accelerator.

The first prize winner will get the attend the annual Cleantech Open Global Forum in California. There the winner will compete with the finalists from the seven other countries engaged in the global initiative — namely Morocco, Turkey, Armenia, India, Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Thailand — in front of investors and potential partners.

“The programme opens up opportunities to get funding. It allows participants to validate their business models and helps them see if they are targeting the right markets” said Mashabela, and added that the main benefit of the programme was in the mentorship provided to the winners.

GCIP-SA participants are also trained, mentored and assessed on investor pitches, communication and financial skills with the objective of assisting them to develop marketable and investor-attractive products and businesses.

Image: Cleantech SA (GCIP) via Twitter

Past participants of the initiative include Chivas Venture SA winner Clement Mokoenene (pictured above).

Read more: Vehicle Energy Harvesting System inventor wins SA Chivas Venture IV

While speaking at a TIA stakeholder event held recently, Mokoenene reportedly said the programme enabled him to “translate the Vehicle Energy Harvesting System into a business model”.

Applicants for the annual competition and business accelerator have until 2 May to submit their applications.