Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) 's vision is to be a leading technology innovation agency that stimulates and supports technological innovation to improve the quality of life for all South Africans.

TIA’s focus is on technology development; from proof of concept to pre commercialisation. To achieve this, TIA established the following funds:

• The Seed Fund,
• The Technology Development Fund,
• The Commercialisation Support Fund.

1. The Seed Fund

The main purpose of the Fund is to enable innovators to evaluate, demonstrate and advance the value proposition and commercial potential of their research outputs. The Fund therefore contributes towards de-risking research outputs in order to increase the pipeline for TIA and other funders.

Target Market:

• High Education Institutions
• Science Councils
• Small Micro Medium Enterprises
• Start-up companies

Qualifying Criteria:

• Project must be beyond basic research

Usage of funds:

• Initial proof of concept
• Prototype development
• Sourcing of IP opinions
• Production of market samples
• Refining and implementing designs
• Conducting field studies
• Support of certification activities
• Piloting and scale-up and techno-economic evaluation
• Detailed primary market research
• Business Plan Development

2. The Technology Development Fund

The Technology Development Fund provides funding to advance technologies from proof of concept to technology demonstration.

Target Market:

• High Education Institutions
• Science Councils
• Small Micro Medium Enterprises
• Start- up companies

Qualifying Criteria:

• Proof of concept established

Usage of funds:

• Prototype development
• Demonstration and pilot plants
• Support of certification activities.
• Piloting and techno- economic evaluation
• Sourcing of IP opinions
• Provision of analytical services
• Acquisition of technical and scientific infrastructure and skills
• Technology demonstrations
• Plant Breeders Rights
• (PBR) trials
• Field testing and performance trials for veterinary and crop health and nutrition technologies

3. The Commercialisation Support Fund

The Pre-Commercialisation Support Fund assists existing or potential individual entrepreneurs and Small Micro Medium Enterprises to obtain funding to support pre-commercialisation activities including the development of production/service capacity to levels that will support operational sustainability. This further include, market testing and validation of the technology in the potential customer environment, as well as bridging finance in preparation for commercialisation.

Target Market:

• High Education Institutions
• Science Councils
• Small Micro Medium Enterprises
• Start-up companies

Qualifying Criteria:

• Endeavour to have an off-take agreement or third-party follow-on funding commitment

Usage of funds:

• Production of market samples
• Support of certification activities
• Market testing and validation
• Regulatory approval
• Certification activities
• PBR registration
• Business Plan Development

Application Process

1. Pipeline and Pre-investment support

2. Assessment and Due Diligence:

• Application assessment,
• Risk assessment,
• Assess technical viability,
• Intellectual property,
• Contractual obligations,
• Commercialisation

3. Approval and Contracting:

• Deal presentation to approving committee
• Project plan approval
• Deal Structure
• Contracting

4. Post-Investment:

• Ongoing perfomance management
• Corrective actions and Interventions
• Disbursement management

5. Exploitation:

• Technology transfer
• Technology commercialisation
• New Businesses

How to Apply

Apply Online here

Contact Us:

Corporate Office:

TIA House, 83 Lois Avenue, Menlyn, Pretoria, 0181

Tel: +27 (0) 12 472 2700

Western Cape:

4th floor, Central Park, Black River Business Park, Fir Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925

Tel: +27 (0) 21 442 3780

Kwazulu-natal:

4th Floor, 102 Stephen Dlamini Road, Musgrave, Durban, 4062

Tel: +27 (0) 31 220 3100