Entries are open for the second Social Tech Startup Challenge (STSC) and there is R5 million in seed funding up for grabs.
The 12-month programme kicked off last year and will reach its conclusion later this month in a by-invitation-only pitching event.
The STSC puts emphasis on empowering tech startups which positively impact their communities.
The first year of the programme saw 2 256 entries of which 271 evolved to become viable ideas. Upon further evaluation and viability testing, a group of 30 startups emerged.
A workshop held in April saw the STSC selection committee narrow the field down to just 15 startups. These startups went on to attend a GIBS entrepreneurship course in Johannesburg.
“Just having access to knowledge and resources from experts within various fields and aspects of entrepreneurship. That’s been a huge learning curve for us as a business,” founder of Jonga – an STSC 2019 participant – Ntsako Mgiba said.
Following this course, five startups made it through.
The five finalists which will pitch at the 2019 STSC Pitch Event are:
- Foonda
- Jonga
- iSpani
- SkillShift
- BallTalent
As we mentioned, entries for the 2020 challenge are now open and it will once again be support by the Diageo Empowerment Trust South Africa.
To enter your startup head to the STSC website and click the “Apply for 2020” button hidden away in the top right corner.
[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]
