Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) - Seed Fund

This grant funding is only available to individuals who are working with a higher education institution or science councils and are now looking to commercialise their research. The grants vary in size but can be up to R1m per project, although most grant allocations tend to be closer to R200 000. 

TIA’s primary objective with this funding is to increase the rate of commercialisation of viable intellectual property from South African technologies emanating from higher education institutions.

The grant funding is non-repayable and is provided to support projects run within a higher education institution (a level of outsourcing to third-party suppliers is permitted) or to spin-off companies that are based on IP emanating from this institution.  

The following activities can be funded:

• Initial proof of concept (note that this assumes some level of proof of concept has been achieved using research funding).
  
• Product, process (comprehensive technology package) and prototype development.
  
• Sourcing of IP opinions.
  
• Production of market samples and/or associated testing, analytical data and method development and specification sheet development.
  
• Refining and implementing designs.
  

Eligibility criteria

• You must be able to protect the IP.
  
• The project must align with the key funding focus areas of TIA and provide the opportunity for further investment and TIA will have the first right of refusal should further investment be required.
  
• The application must be made through the higher education institution.
  

Application process

Call them on 012 472 2700 or send them an email. You are required to register on the database here.