How Cleantech Can You Go ?
The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) for SMEs is a global initiative with the goal of promoting clean technology innovation and supporting SMEs and start-ups. The GCIP is a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) initiative hosted and jointly implemented in South Africa by the Technology
Innovation Agency (TIA).
Based on the successful Cleantech Open Accelerator, the initiative aims to spur local innovations
in energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste to energy, and water efficiency; maximizing every
participant’s chances of being successful in the programme and raising their probability
of achieving sustainable commercial success. The programme combines a competition
and a business accelerator to offer the participating entrepreneurs progressing through the
programme:
• extensive mentoring and training on core business-related competencies for start-ups and
SMEs, as well as specific technological, IP, financial and marketing skills • the possibility to
liaise with potential investors and partners • opportunities to showcase their technological
innovations to the media and the public • a chance to win cash and national business support
awards, in addition to a trip to the United States of America (Silicon Valley) to participate in the
Cleantech Open Global Forum.
The detailed Key Benefits can be found on the GCIP-SA website:
www.southafrica.cleantechopen.org/key-benefits/
Who should Apply ?
• Innovative st art-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises focused on commercialisation of
cutting-edge and innovative clean technology solutions. (a start-up company is typically less than
3 years in existence but not yet profitable and an established SME as defined by the Small
Business Act (No. 102, 1996)) • A two person team at a minimum and at least one team
member must be a South African resident, citizen, or legal alien.
Criteria for the Clean Technology Innovation to qualify for GCIP include*:
• Technology innovation should support mitigation of, or adaptation to greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions through:
o energy efficiency
o renewable energy,
o water efficiency and
o waste-to-energy
• Technology Innovation should be new, ground breaking clean technology or incorporates
adaptation of existing clean technologies or use existing commercially available technologies
for unique applications • Technology Innovation has protectable Intellectual Property (IP)
• Technology Innovation should support improvements in profitability and/or competitiveness
• Technology development must be at proof of concept stage up to pre-commercialisation
• Submitted application must demonstrate a feasible concept and product • Potential for
commercialisation has been identified.
How to Apply ?
• Applications must be submitted online at www.southafrica.cleantechopen.org • Applications
are open from 29 May 2014 until 30 June 2014 at 23:59 SAST • No applications will be
accepted after the deadline • A help line is available for interested entrepreneurs, should
they have queries on the application process or on the overall GCIP programme. Please call
012 472 2904/2774, or send an email to cleantech@tia.org.za.
*Applications are subject to the detailed 2014 Rules and Eligibility criteria for Applications that
are available at: www.southafrica.cleantechopen.org/requirements-eligibility/
The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) for SMEs is a global initiative with the goal of promoting clean technology innovation and supporting SMEs and start-ups. The GCIP is a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) initiative hosted and jointly implemented in South Africa by the Technology
Innovation Agency (TIA).
Based on the successful Cleantech Open Accelerator, the initiative aims to spur local innovations
in energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste to energy, and water efficiency; maximizing every
participant’s chances of being successful in the programme and raising their probability
of achieving sustainable commercial success. The programme combines a competition
and a business accelerator to offer the participating entrepreneurs progressing through the
programme:
• extensive mentoring and training on core business-related competencies for start-ups and
SMEs, as well as specific technological, IP, financial and marketing skills • the possibility to
liaise with potential investors and partners • opportunities to showcase their technological
innovations to the media and the public • a chance to win cash and national business support
awards, in addition to a trip to the United States of America (Silicon Valley) to participate in the
Cleantech Open Global Forum.
The detailed Key Benefits can be found on the GCIP-SA website:
www.southafrica.cleantechopen.org/key-benefits/
Who should Apply ?
• Innovative st art-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises focused on commercialisation of
cutting-edge and innovative clean technology solutions. (a start-up company is typically less than
3 years in existence but not yet profitable and an established SME as defined by the Small
Business Act (No. 102, 1996)) • A two person team at a minimum and at least one team
member must be a South African resident, citizen, or legal alien.
Criteria for the Clean Technology Innovation to qualify for GCIP include*:
• Technology innovation should support mitigation of, or adaptation to greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions through:
o energy efficiency
o renewable energy,
o water efficiency and
o waste-to-energy
• Technology Innovation should be new, ground breaking clean technology or incorporates
adaptation of existing clean technologies or use existing commercially available technologies
for unique applications • Technology Innovation has protectable Intellectual Property (IP)
• Technology Innovation should support improvements in profitability and/or competitiveness
• Technology development must be at proof of concept stage up to pre-commercialisation
• Submitted application must demonstrate a feasible concept and product • Potential for
commercialisation has been identified.
How to Apply ?
• Applications must be submitted online at www.southafrica.cleantechopen.org • Applications
are open from 29 May 2014 until 30 June 2014 at 23:59 SAST • No applications will be
accepted after the deadline • A help line is available for interested entrepreneurs, should
they have queries on the application process or on the overall GCIP programme. Please call
012 472 2904/2774, or send an email to cleantech@tia.org.za.
*Applications are subject to the detailed 2014 Rules and Eligibility criteria for Applications that
are available at: www.southafrica.cleantechopen.org/requirements-eligibility/
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