Please note that applications are currently closed for the DISF.

DISF CRITERIA – THIS FUND IS OPEN TO:

• Western Cape based early-stage small and medium enterprises/entrepreneurs/researchers
• Students at Western Cape tertiary institutions as long as the institution does not already have an Intellectual Property claim to the product/service. Please consult institution’s Intellectual Property policy
• Pre-revenue businesses in incubation or entering incubation OR
• Existing SMEs with new products/innovation that is still pre-revenue.
• South African citizens with valid South African Identity Documents or legal entities controlled by South African citizens with valid South African Identity Documents or permanent residents who hold a valid RSA ID document.

SECTOR FOCUS 2018/2019: 

• Agriprocessing
• Biotechnology
• Health
• Manufacturing
• Water Conservation
• Alternative Building Materials
• Wild Card* (*projects outside these sectors can be considered)

APPLICANTS NEED TO DEMONSTRATE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF:

• Innovation in design, technology and/or the application thereof
• Market appetite or sufficient evidence of market potential
• Competitive advantage
• Management team capability to drive the process.

THE BUSINESS/PRODUCT/IDEA NEEDS TO:

• Have a knowledge focus
• Include technological innovation/design
• Should not easily be able to raise funds from traditional banks or funding agencies because of the inherent risks involved
• Strong preference will be given to businesses that have at least 25% black ownership and/or have good job creation potential.

The rules of the fund are as follows:

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST:

• Declare all IP rights on the innovation, the implications thereof and/or show freedom to operate
• Be tax compliant
• Be prepared to match 20% of the contribution of the Fund through cash contributions
• Show the design development process and how this has been informed by customer needs
• Be prepared to sign a contract and report on progress and impact to the Fund administrators on a quarterly basis during and for a defined period after the project completion.

IN ADDITION:

• Only fully completed applications will be considered
• No company or individual can access more than R650 000 of the fund
• Fund allocations will be made on an activity/intervention basis linked to co-developed delivery milestones
• All IP rights remain with the applicant
• TIA retains the right of first refusal to support further technological development, as informed by the outcomes of the DISF seed funding, and TIA’s own criteria
• No staff member or associate of the CDI or TIA may apply
• CDI funding decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into

For queries please contact: Ryan Rode – ryan.rode@thecdi.org.za