• The top seven startups chosen for the 2024 Tech Irish Challenge South Africa have been announced.
• Each startup will receive €10 000 in funding.
• More than 350 SA-based startups applied for the Challenge, which is now in its third year.

In March this year we reported on the call for applications in the 2024 Irish Tech Challenge South Africa.

With the closing date now behind us, organisers have announced the top seven local startups chosen to receive funding as part of the Challenge.

Now in its third year, the Irish Tech Challenge is a collaborative initiative between the The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and Dogpatch Labs Ireland.

“The collaboration aims to forge mutually beneficial partnerships between South African entrepreneurs and Irish technology expertise, leveraging Ireland’s global tech hub status,” organisers shared in a release with Hypertext.

This year’s Irish Tech Challenge saw more than 350 entries from South African-owned tech startups 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 will conclude with a showcase at Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct at the end of August,” organisers confirmed regarding the forthcoming logistics.

“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,” they added.

The startups will each receive €10 000 (~R202 599) in funding, along with funded trip to Ireland, access to a curated business networking programme, access to the Irish technology ecosystem, and acceleration support in collaboration with Dogpatch Labs.

The seven startups chosen, and their representatives (pictured below), are:

• Charnté Marthinus – Smartview Technology,
• Ahren Posthumus – Momint,
• Priaash Ramadeen – The Awareness Company,
• Jabulani Nyembe – Athena,
• Michelle Geere – AdBot,
• Prudence Simelane – Samanjalo,
• Kgololo Lekoma – Credipple.

“This initiative exemplifies the strength of Irish-South African collaboration in technology and innovation. It underscores Ireland’s commitment to fostering global technological partnerships and supporting young entrepreneurs in realising their potential on the world stage. We look forward to their journeys and the impact they will have in promoting inclusive economic growth in South Africa,” added Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa, H.E. Mr. Austin Gormley.