About
The Space-Tech 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:
- September 1: Challenge opens for applications
- October 16: Applications close
- November: Online pitches at Geo Week
- December: Online business development support
- January: FInal pitching den
- February – April: Online incubation, virtual mentorship and 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
- At least one of the founders is an African citizen, or company is registered in Africa
- Innovation uses geospatial intelligence to serve one or more of the following industries:
- Agriculture
- Retail
- Insurance
- Sustainability and Conservation
Deadline for submissions is 16 October 2020
For further inquiry, email: zasubmissions@oiregionalconnect.com
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