Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is a national public organisation that plays a vital role in bridging the gap between research and development and the commercialisation of innovative ideas.

TIA's primary objective is to support and nurture technological innovation in South Africa by providing both financial and non-financial assistance to innovators and inventors. Through its diverse range of services, it aims to stimulate and foster the creation of groundbreaking technologies that enhance the quality of life for all South Africans.

TIA's dynamic funds powering technological breakthroughs

Its main focus lies in the development of technology, starting from the initial proof of concept stage and progressing towards pre-commercialisation. To facilitate this process, TIA has established three dedicated funds: the Seed Fund, the Technology Development Fund, and the Commercialisation Support Fund. These funds provide the necessary resources and support to transform innovative concepts into market-ready technologies.

To ensure the efficient use of these funds, it has implemented pre- and post-investment processes. These processes are designed to enhance client management, reduce turnaround times, and provide ongoing support to technology projects within its portfolio. By streamlining these processes, TIA strives to maximise the impact of its support and improve the success rate of technology commercialization endeavors.

TIA fulfills several strategic roles to accomplish its mission

As a connector, it fosters partnerships between Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), industries, universities, and science councils. These collaborations create an environment that promotes sector-specific innovations, ultimately enhancing global competitiveness.

TIA serves as an active funder by providing financial assistance and support to innovators, empowering them to progress from conceptualisation to market entry and successful commercialisation of their ideas. Through the provision of funding and expertise, it enables innovators to transform their concepts into tangible products and services.

Empowering innovators: TIA's financial support and expertise ignite success stories

It also acts as a facilitator by attracting and facilitating late-stage funding from various entities such as companies, industries, venture capital firms, and development finance institutions. By connecting innovators with additional sources of funding, TIA facilitates the commercialisation of technologies that are market-ready, ensuring their successful entry into the marketplace.

TIA also acts as an enabler by actively seeking out new ideas through diverse mechanisms, including open innovation initiatives. Programs like the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) are instrumental in promoting clean technology innovation and providing support to entrepreneurs in growing their Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and start-ups into viable and investment-ready businesses.

As a leading agency in technology innovation, TIA is committed to translating South Africa's vast knowledge resources into sustainable socio-economic opportunities. Through comprehensive support, funding, and facilitation, TIA strives to drive technological advancements and enable the successful commercialisation of innovative technologies across a wide range of sectors.

TIA offers a variety of grants to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on business grants.

Among these grants is the Youth Technology Innovation Programme (YTIP), which specifically targets young innovators who are not associated with science councils, higher education institutions, or small micro-medium enterprises. The primary objective of YTIP is to help these young individuals, aged 18 to 30, in securing funding and receiving support through mentorship and business skills development.

YTIP Grant empowers young entrepreneurs with up to R1 million funding

The YTIP grant offers young entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive funding of up to R1 million per transaction, allowing them to develop and introduce their innovative technologies to the market.

In addition to financial support, YTIP provides a range of services to assist grant recipients. These services encompass prototype development at TIA Technology Stations and Technology Platforms, safeguarding intellectual property, conducting testing and product certification, and offering business coaching.

Furthermore, the program grants a stipend per person per year for up to four individuals, aiding them in establishing their own enterprises. Successful applicants also have the chance to benefit from incubation services for a maximum of two years at an incubator recognized by TIA.

To qualify for the YTIP grant, applicants must either be South African citizens or possess permanent residency, be between the ages of 18 and 30, and not have previously received funding from TIA. The grant is particularly aimed at young individuals who exhibit technological innovation and have the potential to generate a socio-economic impact.

TIA grants drive technological innovation in the health sector

TIA also offers grants and services in other sectors, including the Health Sector and Agriculture. In the Health Sector, TIA aims to enhance South Africa's global competitiveness by promoting technological innovation in healthcare products and services. Grant recipients in this sector can access services such as funding for technology innovation opportunities, support for commercialisation efforts, and participation in thought leadership initiatives.

TIA grants and services unlock agricultural technology innovations for small-scale producers

In the Agriculture sector, TIA supports the development of an enabling environment for agricultural technology innovation. Grants and services in this sector include support for the development and demonstration of attractive agricultural technology innovations, facilitation of technology commercialization, and improvement of the diffusion of appropriate agricultural technologies to small-scale and emerging farmers.

It also offers grants and services through programs like the South African Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Initiative (SABDI), the Technology Platform Programme (TPP), and the Technology Innovation Cluster Programme. These programs foster cross-disciplinary collaborations, support infrastructure development, and aim to create vibrant and competitive industries through partnerships and resource pooling.

TIA's business grants and services play a vital role in supporting young innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology development across various sectors. By providing financial assistance, mentorship, and access to necessary resources, TIA aims to accelerate the growth and commercialization of innovative technologies, ultimately contributing to the socio-economic development of South Africa.