CALL FOR PROPOSALS – TIA SMME SEED FUND

Propella Business Incubator (Pty) Ltd is an Implementing Partner for the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) to implement the SMME Seed Fund Programme in Nelson Mandela Bay, aimed at assisting knowledge economy-based SMMEs to access funding to advance their innovative ideas to market.

The focus of this Proposal Call will be all TIA sectors, however priority will be given to the following areas: Biosimilars; Smart Agriculture; Industrial Biotech (Bioremediation, Biomaterials and Biocatalysis); and Indigenous Knowledge System related technologies (African Traditional Medicines, Cosmeceuticals, Nutraceuticals and Health Infusions). Other sectors include Advanced Manufacturing and Engergy.

The broad parameters of the funding are:

• • Grant Funding up to R650 000 per application
• • TRL 3 to 7
• • Alignment with fundable activities (see below)
• • Valid Tax Clearance Certificates for company or individual applying
• • TIA reserves the right of First Refusal for follow on funding

Funding will be directed at SMMEs / entrepreneurs requiring assistance to establish and validate their commercial and technical proof-of-concept via the following activities:

• • Prototype development and evaluating prototypes against customer requirements
• • Turning prototypes into pre-production products (scale up and piloting)
• • Activities leading to technology co-development
• • Licensing of technology to manufacturers and for distribution
• • Transfer of technology for development and manufacture
• • Design development and support of certification activities through SABS or equivalent
• • Purchase of hardware for scale-up from prototypes
• • Supporting IP protection maintenance costs
• • Detailed primary market research and
• • Business plan development

The following activities will not qualify for funding support:

• • Working Capital
• • Human resource costs except with software development – human capacity needed for project duration
• • Purchasing of equipment that is not within the applicant’s scope of work and relevant to the allowable activities and objective of their application.

Projects should have the potential for further investment and development by funders.

An application template can be obtained from the website www.propellaincubator.co.za or via email request to Sinazo Jack at sinazo@propellaincubator.co.za

Please note that completed applications must be submitted via email to Sinazo Jack by 12h00 on Friday, 17 September. Short listed candidates will be required to prepare a short Zoom presentation to a selection panel during the last week of September.