Space-Tech Innovation Challenge 2020

What is the Space-Tech Innovation Challenge 2020?

The Space-Tech Innovation Challenge 2020 will identify and develop the most promising new innovators, entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses across Africa. The challenge is targeting downstream space-tech applications across agriculture, insurance, retail, sustainability and conservation. Do you have what it takes to empower Africa through space-tech innovation?

What is Space-Tech?

– The set of applications which use earth observation, the gathering of information about the physical, chemical and biological systems of the planet via remote-sensing technologies

– There has been a surge in demand for these applications across a wide range of industries where they are driving cost reductions and sustainability. Space-tech has reached a point where almost every business can or does use it – often without even knowing

Why Now?

– The African space-tech sector is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, but it is still significantly underexploited. This represents a massive investment opportunity

– The African Union has identified earth observation as a key resource which must be leveraged in achieving Africa’s development goals

– One of the best ways to grow this sector is through an open innovation challenge

Outcomes

– To identify the most promising innovators, entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses across Africa and develop them into sustainable companies

– To develop Africa’s geospatial readiness so that African businesses can service African demand for geospatial intelligence

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Timeline

• 1 SEPTEMBER: Challenge open for applications
• 16 OCTOBER: Applications close
• NOVEMBER: Online pitches at Geo Week
• DECEMBER: Online business development support
• JANUARY: Final pitching den
• FEBRUARY – APRIL: Online incubation, virtual mentorship & access to peer-to-peer network

Top 10 participants receive

• Opportunity to showcase the company to a global audience at GEO Week, an intergovernmental earth observation conference
• Media coverage and social media blasts through ZASpace and partners
• Industry links and market access through ZASpace and partners
• Screening for investment by Anza Capital
• 1-month business development support through the Research Institute for Innovation & Sustainability
• Opportunity to pitch the company to judges and industry representatives during final pitching den
• Provision of ortho-ready satellite imagery from Maxar’s archive; 10x 25sqkm allocated per finalist up to the value of $75,250

Winners receive

• 4-month online incubation and virtual mentorship, and ongoing access to a peer-to-peer network through the TechTribe
• Winner: SecureWatch Premium 5GB valid for 3 months to the value of $12,500
• Second place & Third place: SecureWatch Premium 2GB valid for 3 months to the value of $5,000
• Opportunity to directly pitch your idea to a MAXAR representative.

Submission Criteria

1. At least one of the founders is an African citizen, or company is registered in Africa
2. Innovation uses geospatial intelligence to serve one or more of the following industries:
   • Agriculture – Download brief​
   • Retail – Download brief​
   • Insurance – Download brief​
   • Sustainability and Conservation – Download brief​

ENQUIRIES REGARDING SUBMISSIONS: ZASUBMISSIONS@OIREGIONALCONNECT.COM