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THE TOP SEVEN SELECTED START-UPS FOR THE IRISH TECH CHALLENGE
The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa , in partnership with Wits University ’ s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct , the Department of Science and Innovation ( DSI ), the Technology Innovation Agency ( TIA ) and Dogpatch Labs Ireland are delighted to announce the selection of seven tech start-ups for the prestigious Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024 .
Now in its third successive year , the collaboration aims to forge mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise , leveraging Ireland ’ s global tech hub status .
This year ’ s Challenge saw more than 350 entries from South African-owned , growth-stage tech start-ups focused on fulfilling the United Nations ’ Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).
The seven selected start-ups will undergo an intensive pre-acceleration programme with workshops , masterclasses and mentorship sessions in South Africa . These concluded with a showcase at Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct at the end of August . Thereafter , they will head to Ireland in September 2024 for an acceleration programme with Dogpatch Labs , a 500-member strong start-up and innovation hub located in Dublin .
The selected innovators are :
Charnté Marthinus – Smartview Technology of consumption , making it easier for businesses to control costs , improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact .
Ahren Posthumus – Momint
Momint uses Blockchain technology to ensure that capital is invested in renewable energy projects in a fast and safe way . It does this by fractionalising renewable energy projects enabling individuals to co-invest in the financing of the projects , enabling a return on investment and contributing to a just and sustainable transition .
Priaash Ramadeen – The Awareness Company
The Awareness Company is a situational awareness company that uses data to help organisations achieve operational efficiency and sustainability through its software product called Hydra . This integrates with organisations ’ sensors and third-party systems , thus enabling automated data storytelling and quality insights .
Jabulani Nyembe – Athena
Athena enables affordable access to healthcare services through a platform that allows patients to pay their medical treatment costs in monthly instalments . It uses technology to administer this process for both doctors and patients .
Michelle Geere – AdBot
Prudence Simelane – Samanjalo
Samanjalo is a fly ash beneficiation business that uses geo-polymer technology to turn coal waste ( fly ash ) into green products used in construction and infrastructure environments such as green cement , bricks , pavers and barricades .
Kgololo Lekoma – Credipple
Credipple is a talent marketplace for trusted creative and digital professionals . It reduces friction in the process of hiring remote work professionals by matching clients to trusted professionals and streamlining the admin processes , to make it easier to collaborate and do great work .
The Irish Tech Challenge will award the seven selected entrepreneurs :
• Up to € 10,000 each in funding .
• A funded trip to Ireland
• Access to the Irish tech ecosystem with potential opportunities for further funding .
• Acceleration support to position their global scaling strategy in collaboration with Dogpatch Labs x
SmartView Technology provides enterprise-grade utility management solutions . Its advanced software and mobile application allows for real-time monitoring and management
Adbot provides online advertising solutions for small business owners by handling all their digital marketing needs through its AdBot . It makes online advertising easy , effective and accessible . www . intelligentcxo . com
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