Innovate UK and TIA have agreed to co-fund a new round of programme, SOFI-2, to be delivered with the support of the Innovate UK KTN Global Alliance Africa team. The programme is designed to support a cohort of UK and South African innovative through a structured process to collaborate and develop locally scalable and affordable innovations. The cohort will comprise roughly 50 SMMEs, 25 of whom will be from the UK and 25 will be from South Africa – who will be identified through a focused effort in both countries and will go through a selection process.
Zevoli will work with Innovate UK KTN as the key delivery partner in South Africa, the Technology and Innovation Agency (TIA) and/or organisations – in supporting elements of programme design that will inform the future Business Support objectives, carrying out the challenge framing/community needs assessments, identifying South African grassroot innovative SMMEs to bring onto the programme, supporting with planning and local logistics of hosting UK SMMEs in-country and support with community engagement activities once the UK-SA collaborations have been established
- Call for Stakeholders and SME’s to participate in a focus group to discuss social challenges affecting entrepreneurs operating in Food, Water and Energy scope. The aim of the focus group is to help develop a programme design for SME’s withing their respective areas
- SME’s operating in Food, Water and Energy scope apply for the programme during the recruitment process with potential to be part of a development programme aimed at better capacitate rural SMEs with Grant funding, business acumen skills through workshops, trainings and tailored development interventions.
The focus group is aimed at establishing each community’s needs through assessments. This will give guidelines and understanding what social challenges communities are facing and how they impact their sustainable livelihoods.
KPI 1: Develop Criteria for SME Selection in Food, Water, and Energy Sectors
Objective: Conduct a focus group involving stakeholders to discuss social challenges impacting entrepreneurs in the Food, Water, and Energy sectors. Use the insights gathered to develop criteria for selecting SMEs within these areas.
KPI 2: Establish Development Programme for Rural SMEs in Food, Water, and Energy
Objective: Conduct focus groups with SMEs operating in Food, Water, and Energy sectors in specified provinces and district municipalities. Identify community needs, establish criteria for SME selection, and develop a development programme providing grant funding, business acumen skills, workshops, and tailored interventions.
KPI 3: Facilitate Collaboration between UK and South African SMEs
Objective: Work with Zevoli, Innovate UK KTN, and TIA to facilitate collaboration between 50 SMMEs from the UK and South Africa. Support the program elements, challenge framing, community needs assessments, and local logistics. Ensure the successful establishment of UK-SA collaborations and engage with communities’ post-collaboration.
These objectives and KPIs aim to measure the effectiveness and success of the SOFI-2 programme in achieving its goals and fostering innovation and collaboration between UK and South African SMEs in the specified sectors and regions.
The South African SME’s Requirements:
- Operate within the indicated provinces and district municipality.
- Be registered and operates under Food, Energy and Water Scope
The SMEs should be from the following Provinces and District Municipality
Innovate UK KTN Focus Areas
- Mpumalanga
- Northern Cape
- Limpopo
- Eastern Cape
District Municipalities
- Gert Sibande DM and Ehlanzeni DM
- Namakwa DM and Pixley ka Seme DM
- Vhembe and Sekhukhune DM
- Sarah Baartman DM, Alfred Nzo DM and OR Tambo
The programme aims to select SA based innovative SMMEs who meet the eligibility criteria:
- Focus on improving accessibility of food, energy, or water in underserved communities.
- Propose an innovative technology solution or business model that is feasible, reliable and with tested proof of concept.
- Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with at least one UK partner.
- Willingness to travel to UK and spend up to a week in-country in second half of 2024.
- Dedicate the time and resource required to participate in the programme.
- Based in the following provinces: Northern Cape, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga
FAQs: SOFI-2 Programme
1. What is the SOFI-2 Programme?
- SOFI-2 is a collaborative initiative between Innovate UK and TIA (Technology and Innovation Agency), co-funded to support a cohort of UK and South African SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) in developing scalable and affordable innovations/ technologies in the areas of Food, Water, and Energy.
2. How many SMEs will be part of the programme?
- The programme aims to support roughly 50 SMEs, with 25 from the UK and 25 from South Africa. These SMEs will be selected through recruitment process effort and a rigorous selection process.
3. What is the role of Zevoli in the programme?
- Zevoli will serve as the key delivery partner in South Africa, collaborating with Innovate UK KTN and TIA. SMEs, and facilitating collaboration between UK and South African SMEs.
4. How can stakeholders participate in the programme?
- Stakeholders interested in participating can join focus groups organized to discuss social challenges affecting entrepreneurs in the Food, Water, and Energy sectors. These discussions will help develop programme design for selecting SMEs within these areas.
5. What are the eligibility criteria for South African SMEs?
- South African SMEs must operate within specific provinces and district municipalities, be registered under Food, Energy, and Water scopes, and focus on improving accessibility of food, energy, or water in underserved communities. They should also propose innovative technology solutions or business models, be willing to collaborate with at least one UK partner, travel to the UK for a week in the second half of 2024 and commit the necessary time and resources to participate.
6. How will the programme support selected SMEs?
- Selected SMEs will receive grant funding, business acumen skills through workshops and trainings, and tailored development interventions aimed at better capacitating rural SMEs. The programme will also facilitate collaboration between UK and South African SMEs, providing opportunities for knowledge exchange and partnership building.
7. What are the focus areas for South African SMEs?
- South African SMEs should be based in specific provinces and district municipalities, including Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Limpopo, and Eastern Cape. These SMEs will focus on addressing challenges related to food, energy, and water accessibility in their respective communities.
8. How will the programme measure success?
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the facilitation of collaboration between UK and South African SMEs will be used to measure the effectiveness and success of the SOFI-2 programme