Later this week applications for the Design Innovation Seed Fund (DISF) open up, thanks to investment funding from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and support from the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT).

Since its launch in 2014, the DISF has disbursed R15.8 million in grant funding from the TIA, with 26 projects completed. The DISF adds that R71 million in revenue has been generated and to date 256 jobs created thanks to its work.

This year’s iteration will see R800 000 in grant funding being awarded to the most deserving and innovative project, with CDI Capital handling the disbursement.

For those unfamiliar with the Design Innovation Seed Fund, it funds designers, inventors, entrepreneurs and product developers with pre-revenue for innovative technologies and tech-enabled ideas and products.

Applications for this year’s DISF open on 8th July and close at 17:00 on 31st July, organisers confirm.

“Applications that support innovative products and the creation of protectable intellectual property are welcome from a wide range of sectors including agritech; biotechnology and health; construction; advanced manufacturing technology; low-carbon technology; renewable energy; information, communication technology; and software engineering (data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, etc.),” explains a press release sent to Hypertext.

“Ask any innovator what holds them back from developing their new products and growing their business – and they will tell you: the resources that give them the freedom to take the next steps. This is exactly what the DISF provides – seeding an innovator’s next phase and launching them on a path towards commercialisation,” adds Erica Elk, Group CEO at CDI Capital.

Applicants are encouraged to read the application guidelines prior to sending their applications, with more information available here.

To find out more about past DISF winners and successful projects, head here.