Are you a 4IR Startup? A company developing Smart City technologies? An innovator ready to prototype your COVID-19 responses? Apply to our open call for smart city innovation solutions to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown protocols and a new reality for the future of our City and its residents.
The aim of the Smart City Technology Challenge is to find and develop digital technology solutions to urban and community challenges faced by the city. The lockdown’s are impacting the country’s most marginalised populations with the spread of Covid-19 affecting overcrowded communities that lack basic services the most.
Smart digital technology solutions help citizens stay connected and allow businesses, citizens and public administrations to find ways to respond faster and in a more integrated way to both crisis situations and daily life.
PRIZES
Two winning applications will be taken into a rapid development and prototype launching process through a virtual bootcamp and prototyping grant. This will be followed by opportunity for further funding to take one solution into implementation. This will be a collaborative effort between startups, corporate companies, investors, hubs, makerspaces, and the government
through the City of Johannesburg’s Smart City Office.
Prototyping Grant & Partnership Development
A base grant of R100,000.00 will be given to two solutions for the rapid development of prototypes and implementation procedures. This is to be followed by a development grant or partnership to further develop and prototype the solutions to prepare for activation of the technology as fast as possible within the City of Johannesburg.
Virtual Bootcamp with Access to Mentors
A virtual bootcamp will form part of the rapid prototyping process with the aim to assist the chosen solutions into an MVP. Expert mentors and city advisors will assist set timelines and ensure that the solutions to be launched will be impactful and relevant. Mentors will have technical, healthcare and business expertise.