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CALLING FOR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS WASTE CHALLENGES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA THROUGH CIRCULAR PRINCIPLES
If you are based in Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and have developed an innovative solution that meets the definition of circularity, and have at least a prototype ready for testing, we encourage you to make use of this opportunity to grow and develop your network and your business.
The Circular Innovation Challenge 2024 seeks to promote the circular economy, thus reducing resource consumption, as well as waste and pollution generation, through an innovative approach. At the same time, the challenge aims to promote social inclusion, create jobs, and enhance wellbeing by designing systems that benefit people and the planet.
We are seeking entries of products, technologies and/or services which encourage the move from a linear to a circular economy. Our vision is a future in which everyday items such as textiles and plastics, food production and construction materials, and byproducts of living such as waste and blackwater, are produced, consumed, and/or managed in a circular and regenerative manner. Our vision, thus, is a world in which resources are conserved, waste is minimised, and ecosystems are preserved, leading to a thriving and sustainable society.
What’s in it for the finalists?
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Pre-mentoring by members of SOLVE and the Vikāra Institute: 1:1 mentoring to improve and adapt your pitch for the competition.
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Join a dedicated pitching session at the Vikāra Institute’s annual Market Systems Symposium on 22 October 2024 to present your innovation to an audience of people working in a circular paradigm, including investors and potential collaborators.
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Travel subsidy towards your travel costs from airports if coming from outside of Cape Town for pitching and award events.
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Accommodation – finalists from outside Cape Town will receive two nights’ free accommodation with breakfast included, close to or within the V&A Waterfront.
Winner’s package
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The opportunity to test your product, innovation or service at the V&A Waterfront, which represents significant exposure. Note: the V&A Waterfront precinct has an annual footfall of over 26 million visits of which 56% are Capetonian, 14% domestic, and 30% international.
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Tailor-made training / mentorship according to the needs of your business to the value of 100 000 South African Rand (ZAR).
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Cash investment into your business to the value of 200 000ZAR.
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SOLVE@Waterfront and Vikāra Institute will facilitate relevant introduction to a network of related businesses and organisations.
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Profile on partners’ websites and social media channels.