Deadline: July 12, 2018
Applications are open for the Industry 4.0 Challenge 2018. The purpose of the Industry 4.0 challenge is to identify technology entrepreneurs to showcase at the Annual ITU World Telecom 2018.
The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services in collaboration with Standard Bank and Ericsson are seeking to identify and develop technology entrepreneurs / SME’s (Small to Medium Enterprises) that have built technology relevant to the 4th Industrial Revolution, to showcase at the prestigious international exhibition. ITU World Telecom is the global event for governments, corporates and tech SMES aimed at accelerating ICT innovation to improve lives faster.
40 finalists will be chosen to participate at the Final Pitching Event on 24 and 25 July in Johannesburg, who then qualifies to showcase at ITU Telecom World 2018 in Durban ICC, 10 – 13 September. Beyond the exhibition, the selected entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to be nominated in the following categories of the ITU Telecom World 2018 Awards:
- Global SME Award
- Host Country SME Award
- Recognition of Excellence Certificate (best innovator exhibitor within each National Pavilion)
Are you a technology entrepreneur? Apply for Industry 4.0 Challenge to showcase at the Annual ITU World Telecom 2018.
Benefits
- Rapid acceleration, development support and master classes provided by domain experts, covering topics such as UX and interface design, intellectual property rights, marketing, legal structure and pitching and presentation best practice
- Full access to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, start-ups and high growth companies through Standard Bank’s Entrepreneurship Development and Incubator.
- Selected SME’s will receive a chance to participate in the final pitching event and showcase their solutions to an audience of venture capitalists, private equity firms, industry experts and senior executives within the Financial Services, public sector and technology communities
- On-going mentoring from senior executives and senior members from the technology community, to help shape the products and technologies being developed
- Selected SME winners of the Industry 4.0 Challenge will be invited to showcase their products or services at the international exhibition in Durban on 10-13 September 2018. *(Flights and accommodation included for one member of the company).
- Selected SME’s will stand the chance to participate in further development programmes, exposure trips, funding and access to market opportunities, through Standard Bank Entrepreneur Development post the September event.
Eligibility
The challenge is open to all provinces in South Africa
Application
- The application shall be received through the online website starting 29 June 2018 until 12 July 2018. Online applications will be screened by Competition Selection Panel.
- Any ideas outside of the above categories will not be considered and qualified applications will be reviewed and scored by a selection committee.
- Qualifying Selected SMEs will be notified via email of the status of their application and subsequently invited to the competition if meeting all requirements.
Successful applicants will be contacted via e-mail.
For more information, visit Industry 4.0 Challenge.
