Tshwane University of Technology’s Institute for the Future of Work and ANZA Capital have come together to develop the ANZA-TUT Future Tech Challenge. The objective is to identify startups for funding, as well as to provide support to through a development phase in order to significantly improve their chances of success.
Objectives of the challenge
The ANZA-TUT Future Tech Challenge is primarily looking at tech entrepreneurs and will select up to 3 startups for this initial programme. Entrepreneurs selected to the programme will receive the following:
- A share of the R5 million in funding;
- Access to mentorship and insights from industry experts with vast experience running Venture Capital funds;
- Access to academic scholars to support you tech through the Tshwane University of Technology. This is particularly significant for startups that are developing technology that is innovative and can potentially build intellectual property.
- Opportunity to build a professional network that consists of fellow entrepreneurs, funders, etc.;
- A structured program that supports the entrepreneur’s personal growth as well as training in pitching;,
- Support to refine the project’s business model to attract the right funding;.
- Opportunity to pitch at the SA Innovation Summit and gain visibility on a global stage; and
- Access to the funding ecosystem to support further growth.
Eligibility
To be eligible to entre the ANZA-TUT Future Tech Challenge, entrepreneurs must fulfil the following:
- Must be South Africans or permanent residents, preferably developing technology that can potentially build intellectual property;
- The entrepreneurs must be developing technology solutions in the following categories:
- Agritech
- CleanTech
- DigitalTech (deep tech);
- Where intellectual property exists, entrepreneurs must fully own it; and if this is not the case, entrepreneurs must receive permission from IP owners to participate. This will be required at the time the application is submitted.
Judging criteria for Anza-TUT Future Tech Challenge
The selection process will be using the following criteria:
- The project’s potential for high growth, in the region of 20 – 30% per month for startups that are post-revenue. Pre-revenue startups, a strong foundation in deep tech or a protectable and demonstratable intellectual property portfolio is essential
- Startups that are Growth and Potential: We are seeking promising startups that demonstrate substantial growth potential. Post-revenue startups should exhibit a target growth rate of 20-30% per month. Pre-revenue startups must have be able to demonstrate potential for a protectable intellectual property;
- Startups must be based in South Africa and predominantly owned by South African citizens. This is in line with the objective to nurture local talent and to contribute to the growth in the South African innovation ecosystem.
- Projects must address a clear market or societal need within the key themes: CleanTech, Digital Tech and AgriTech;
- Alignment to the global sustainable development goals.
Closing Date of the ANZA-TUT Future Tech Challenge
The closing date for submission is 31 May 2024. Click here to complete the application form.
It is important also to also note that entrepreneurs that enter the ANZA-TUT Future Tech Challenge must be prepared to pitch at the South African Innovation Summit. The summit will be held in Cape Town from 16-20 September 2024; and in additiona, there will be an award ceremony at the 3rd Annual Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) Dialogue in Pretoria in October 2024.
Selected startups in the ANZA Portfolio
At Anza Capital invests in future of industries that have the power to transform society and amongst their portfolio includes:
- Welo Health, a company that makes healthcare more accessible by offering services to employees through a dynamic platform that connects corporate clients to top-tier healthcare professionals.
- Yebo Fresh, an ecommerce platform that provides township entrepreneurs and community organizations with access to high quality goods and services through their smart technology.
- Agrilogiq, an agricultural automation service provider that provides growers and tunnel builders with comprehensible cutting-edge proprietary poly-greenhouse automation software and hardware components.
- Mzanzi Meat Co., a company that is building Africa’s first cultivated meat, constructing the future of food.
Further Information
One of our objectives is to empower small businesses and startups by curating funding opportunities that we come across. Refer to our main page and follow the funding link for other opportunities.
While formal company registration is not always a prerequisite for accessing funding, it is crucial for formalised entities to maintain compliance. Lack of proper governance will completely hinder any prospects of funding. For guides and articles on governance, visit to our main page and follow the governance link from there.
