Welcome to the SEADE South African Softlanding Program
Organized by the Methys Group (FSAT Labs, AfricArena)
& the ENRICH in Africa Center
Promote your innovation in South Africa and engage with leading research and innovation role players in the technology and digital sectors of South Africa!
Apply until October 16, 2024 at 23:59 GMT.
THE PROGRAMME
The South African softlanding Programme is managed and run by the Methys Group, consisting of the French South African Tech Labs and AfricArena, together with the ENRICH in Africa Center in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the SEADE project funded by the European Union. This soft-landing programme, including online and in-person engagements over three months, is designed to support European and African (excluding Southern Africa) research and innovation role players in the technology and digital sector in learning about South Africa’s ecosystem and establishing cooperative and collaborative partnerships.
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
To facilitate meetings between selected programme participants and key research and innovation players in the digital and technology based sectors of South Africa that encourage future collaborations and partnerships
To provide selected programme participants with knowledge of the digital and and technology sectors in South Africa and opportunities for research and innovation through a series of online webinars, workshops and guest speakers
To encourage the promotion of the innovation and research of participating programme participants to the South African ecosystem through marketing and a series of events online and in Cape Town
To stimulate cooperation in Research and Innovation (R&I) between organisations in the EU, other sub-Saharan African countries and those in South Africa
PROGRAMME CONTENT
The South African soft-landing program will take place over a period of three months online and in person, from the 4th of November 2024 to 14th of February 2025. The online program will consist of the following:
Webinars on key research and innovation themes associated to the tech and digital sectors of South Africa lead by experts as speakers
Workshops on key tools for research and innovation between Europe and South Africa
B2B and partnership matchmaking between participants and South Africa ecosystem players initiated through an online booking system
Group and individual activities supported by mentors
Personalized and tailor-made support to support and facilitate connections
The in-person programme in Cape Town from the 24th of November to the 5th of December 2024 will consist of the following programme:
Learning expeditions of the tech and digital ecosystems in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, including the following
University research and innovation centres
Innovation Hubs
Investors
Provincial and national governmental departments
In-person B2B and collaborative partnership engagements
Founders’ bootcamp and VC Unconference participation
Access to networking events such as the AfricArena Grand Summit, VC Night, Innovation Night and the SEADE R&I Summit
TARGET GROUPS
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Start-ups
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Researchers
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Research and Innovation Lecturers
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International Development Agencies
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Incubation and Acceleration Centres
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Higher Education Institutions
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Research and Innovation Think Tanks and Institutions
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Digital Innovation Hubs
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Investors
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Development Banks
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Government Officials
MORE INFORMATION
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To participate in the SEADE South African Soft-Landing Program, you must:
Be an active player in European or African research and innovation in the digital and technology based ecosystems (excluding ecosystem players residing in Southern Africa)
Be legally established in a European Union country or an African country (excluding Southern Africa) and be interested in collaborating with research and innovation ecosystem players in the digital and technology sectors of South Africa
Have an established business, research and innovation project or institution that has been operational for more than two years
Be able to speak and communicate in English as South Africa is an English speaking country and participants will need to pitch, follow programme activities and communicate with local stakeholders in English
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Applications must be submitted by the 16th of October, 2024 at 23:59 GMT, exclusively via this form:
https://forms.gle/QyEywALsJTswVL2s7
Shortlisted applicants will then receive communication from the 21st of October 2024 and be interviewed online. Final selection of the 10 participants will be announced on the 28th of October 2024 and will join the online programme on the 4th of November 2024.
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South Africa, particularly Cape Town, is a burgeoning hub for digital and technological innovation, making it an ideal destination for European and African startups, researchers, and investors. The city is home to Africa’s oldest tech and startup incubator, the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi), which has supported over 3,000 entrepreneurs for more than two decades. Cape Town’s tech ecosystem is thriving, with numerous successful startups such as Aerobotics, SweepSouth, and Yoco, which have gained international recognition. This vibrant environment offers a unique opportunity for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking with some of the continent’s most innovative minds.
Moreover, South Africa ranks highly in various categories recognizing business friendliness, tech innovation, and an established digital startup ecosystem. The country’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for tech development is evident in its policies and initiatives aimed at supporting research and innovation. Cape Town, in particular, has been recognized as one of the most ambitious cities globally, providing a fertile ground for startups and researchers to thrive. The city’s strategic location and well-developed infrastructure further enhance its appeal as a destination for international collaboration in the tech sector.
Additionally, the South African government and private sector are heavily invested in research and development, contributing significantly to the country’s innovation ecosystem. This investment ensures that there are ample resources and support systems in place for startups and researchers. By visiting South Africa, European and African stakeholders can tap into this dynamic ecosystem, gain insights into the latest technological advancements, and explore potential partnerships that can drive growth and innovation in their respective fields. The collaborative spirit and the wealth of opportunities available make South Africa a compelling destination for anyone involved in the digital and technology sectors.
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Methys Group is a prominent international technology hub based in Cape Town, South Africa, with a strong focus on digital innovation, data, and business acceleration. Founded in 2004, Methys has established itself as a leader in driving business performance through its expertise in digital transformation and data analytics. The company is dedicated to fostering innovation and providing high-quality services to its clients, ensuring they stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
AfricArena, a key initiative under Methys Group, is an African tech accelerator that hosts a series of events across major tech ecosystems globally, culminating in a summit in Cape Town. AfricArena aims to foster the African tech environment by connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and corporations through open innovation challenges and physical events. Over the past four years, AfricArena alumni have raised over $220 million, highlighting its significant impact on the African startup ecosystem.
The French South African Tech Labs (FSAT Labs) is another vital component of Methys Group, operating as a public-private partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) in South Africa. FSAT Labs focuses on incubating early-stage, high-growth entrepreneurs, contributing to the betterment of Africa’s tech landscape. Methys Digital, the digital arm of the group, leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver innovative solutions and drive digital transformation for businesses across various sectors.
Together, these entities form a robust ecosystem that supports and accelerates tech innovation in South Africa and beyond.
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The following terms and conditions are associated with the SEADE South African softlanding programme:
The programme has a limit of 10 participants for the 3 month program including the Cape Town Learning Expedition Tour that includes the AfricArise Founders’ Bootcamp, the VC Unconference, the AfricArena Grand Summit and the SEADE R & I Summit.
The selection of the 10 participants will be determined by:
The scalability and growth of their business, innovation, research, project or investment to South Africa
All participants need to be citizens or residents in Europe, North Africa, West Africa and East Africa
Businesses to be registered in their countries of residence in Europe, North Africa, West Africa and East Africa
Have an association to digital and technology research and innovation development
Be able to take time out once a week for 3 months and travel to Cape Town for 10 days.
Flights to Cape Town with return are not included in the benefits of the program, thus all selected participants will have to pay for their own flights to Cape Town to attend the tour of the city and associated events
The SEADE South African Soft-landing Program will only cover accommodation and limited transport within Cape Town from the 24th of November to the 5th of December;
For access to the AfricArise Founders’ Bootcamp, digital startup founders will need to pay an additional 300 USD to join the 3 days bootcamp in Cape Town
For access to the AfricaArena VC Unconference in Stellenbosch from the 31st of November to 2nd of December, participants will have to pay 799 USD for the 3 day event. For more information, please view on this link
No refunds will be allocated if selected and one is unable to attend the soft-landing program online or in Cape Town from the 24th of November to the 5th of December 2024