The SA Innovation Summit Unveils the Blockchain Innovation Challenge

The  SA Innovation Summit has launched the Blockchain Innovation Challenge, a ground-breaking competition that is a part of a comprehensive collaboration encompassing Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Education, Economy, Dialogue, and Networks, all aimed at examining blockchain’s potential to become the next frontier in African innovation and establish a new benchmark in the African tech ecosystem.

Five months will pass during the course of the challenge, which brings together businesses in the blockchain and impact innovation fields from Switzerland and South Africa. The challenge aims to foster innovation through collaborative blockchain projects, empowering visionaries and startups to build a more secure, transparent, and international ecosystem. It does this by building on the successes of programs like the Algorand-UCT Financial Innovation Hub and the broad-reaching influence of the Swiss Crypto Valley.

The University of Cape Town Financial Innovation Hub’s objective is well aligned with its partnership with the South Africa-Swiss Blockchain Innovation Challenge. We are committed to addressing Africa’s difficulties by fostering cutting-edge research and supporting creative start-ups. Together, we’ll realize blockchain technology’s potential, advance innovative solutions, and build a better digital future for Africa. — Anda Ngcaba, Co-Director of the Financial Innovation Hub at the University of Cape Town.

A joint week in Cape Town during the SA Innovation Summit in September 2023 will follow a series of masterclasses led by SEIF and an investment preparedness program by the SA Innovation Summit for participants.

The collaborative spirit that has propelled Switzerland to a position of worldwide leadership in blockchain technology will be evident when they demonstrate their ground-breaking inventions and take part in a selected ecosystem tour there.

The program is a collaborative project of the Swiss Embassy, CV Venture Capital, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Winetech, Algorand, University of Basel, and the University of Cape Town Fintech Hub, and it is being carried out by the SA Innovation Summit and SEIF-Driving Impact Innovation.

Comprehensive entrepreneurial support through masterclasses, mentorship, and training, a pitch competition at SAIS’23, integration into a thriving ecosystem that has supported innovation in South Africa and created over 6,000 jobs in Switzerland, an enlightening ecosystem tour to Switzerland, and investment offers from partner funders are just a few of the key advantages Participants will receive.

As a representation of our continued partnership with South Africa in the area of technology and innovation, the Swiss Embassy is honored to participate in the Blockchain Innovation Challenge. By utilizing blockchain’s ability to build a more secure and open global ecosystem, this challenge not only encourages creativity and growth but also deepens the bonds between our two countries. Switzerland Embassy

The SA Innovation Summit has always made a point of providing excellence and pushing the limits of innovation and technology. This collaboration and endeavor serve as a testament to our continuous commitment to addressing the changing requirements of the African ICT sector.

We are confident that the Blockchain Innovation Challenge will enable entrepreneurs and startups to reach milestones that address the changing needs of the African tech ecosystem by building on the success of initiatives like the InCube Challenge and the blockchain ecosystem developed by the University of Johannesburg.

The aim of TIA to promote scalable, significant innovation in South Africa is well complemented by the Blockchain Innovation Challenge. Recognizing blockchain’s potential to spur growth and achieve our country’s development goals, we are happy to support this project. Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) spokesperson Thabang Mpye.

Entrepreneurs are urged to put these dates in their calendars: The application date is August 18, 2023. We cordially invite you to join us on this transformative journey, where opportunity meets innovation, accelerating the development of blockchain in South Africa. This journey is supported by a long history of successful collaboration and by a common vision for a more inventive and connected continent.

Join us in influencing technology’s future by taking part in this historic Blockchain Innovation Challenge.