Plastics Innovation & Circularity Challenge 2023 is open for application now. With the support of the UK South Africa -Tech Hub, an initiative of the UK Government, SOLVE@Waterfront, and OceanHub Africa is calling for innovative solutions to address plastic issues in South Africa.

This challenge is If someone is based in South Africa, and has developed an innovative business/technological solution to problem plastics, such as:

  • Technologies/systems to increase the rate of plastic collection
  • Technologies/behavior change to facilitate the separation of waste after use or at the source
  • A solution to better manage low-value plastics (single-use plastics, multi-layered packaging) through reuse and recycling
  • Digital technology to address plastic pollution (e.g. behavior change, reduction of the use of plastics, collection/sorting, recycling, tracking system)
  • And any other innovation that could stop the leakage of plastic into the ocean

If the startup is based in South Africa, looking to grow its economic, social, and environmental impact, and most importantly, on a mission to disrupt plastic circularity in the country and beyond, then this challenge is for them!

Ocean Innovation Africa believes that innovations led by science, technology, and entrepreneurship will provide the necessary leverage points to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), at the right pace and scale. By addressing the issues of the sustainable ocean economy and ocean conservation, our event seeks to find solutions linking up to almost all SDGs in addition to SDG14 – Life Below Water.

Our focus stems from a passion and the need for efficient, impactful action: at the current pace, SDGs objectives would only be met by 2094 instead of 2030! Oceans are the heart and lungs of our planet, and it is crucial – and now urgent – to support the development and adoption of new sustainable ocean solutions that will shape better interactions between people and the Earth’s largest ecosystem. In recovering from the recent COVID-19-related crisis, Oceans also have a pivotal role to play by keeping trade moving between nations and providing sustainable energy and healthy food for all.

 

Benefits

For the winner:

  • R175 000 to develop the innovation and business further
  • Being featured on the partners’ websites and their social media channels
  • Having a chance to pitch in front of investors and other stakeholders during the leading African event on ocean-impact innovation, Ocean Innovation Africa Summit,
  • Automatically securing admission in OceanHub Africa’s 2023-2024 cohort, 1st Pan-African accelerator program designed to support blue entrepreneurs
  • Access to prototyping and testing facilities at the V&A Waterfront (if suitable).

For the runner-up:

  • R25 000 to further develop the innovation and business
  • Being featured on the partners’ websites and their social media channels
  • Having a chance to pitch in front of investors and other stakeholders during the leading African event on ocean-impact innovation, Ocean Innovation Africa Summit,
  • Automatically securing admission in OceanHub Africa’s 2023-2024 cohort, 1st Pan-African accelerator program designed to support blue entrepreneurs
  • Access prototyping and testing facilities at the V&A Waterfront (if suitable).

 

Eligibilities

  • Startups that contribute to plastic circularity
  • Incorporated for-profit and operate in South Africa?
  • A scalable service or product currently or soon to be available on the market
  • Product or service that is clearly innovative and/or the business model is disruptive
  • Looking to grow the economic, social, and environmental impact

 

Eligible Regions: South Africa

Application Process

  • Application has to be made through google form available at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckOUqz_djvBLwxHQPnoLas1glMYW6nOTnpTYC6oouL1azNkA/viewform

 

Application Deadline: January 29, 2023

Application ClosedOfficial link

For Further Queries

For further queries contact them at +27 74 788 8147 or send them an email at [email protected]
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