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Solutions
How TECH helps innovators, communities and partners move ideas from problem to working, commercial solution.
Innovation Solutions
Structured support for new ideas
We help innovators define the problem, test their idea with real users and build a viable solution. Support is matched to the stage of the innovation, from early idea to market-ready product.
- Problem definition and idea validation
- Design thinking and prototyping workshops
- Technical and business mentorship
- Readiness assessments
Technologies
Technology that fits the community
We focus on practical, affordable technologies that solve local problems, including digital platforms, mobile solutions, and tools that improve how small businesses and services operate.
- Digital and mobile solutions
- Tools for SMME productivity
- Technology partnerships and access
- Appropriate technology for townships
Research & Development
Evidence behind the work
TECH works with universities and research partners to understand community needs, test new approaches and measure the impact of our programmes.
- Community needs research
- University and research partnerships
- Programme impact measurement
- Publishing lessons learned
Innovation Challenges
Real problems, local solutions
Municipalities, companies and communities can bring a challenge to TECH. We open it to our network of innovators, run the challenge process and support the best solutions.
- Challenge design with the challenge owner
- Open calls to innovators
- Judging, pitching and selection
- Support to pilot winning solutions
Commercialisation
Getting innovations to market
An innovation only creates jobs when people buy it. We help innovators with business models, pricing, market access and introductions to funders and customers.
- Business model and pricing support
- Pitch preparation
- Introductions to funders and buyers
- Pilot and first-customer support
Have a challenge or an innovation?
Tell us what you are working on and we will show you where TECH can help.