The journey from a great idea to a thriving business often demands more than passion and perseverance; it requires structured support, access to resources, and expert guidance. Recognising this, the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) has partnered with the Embassy of France in South Africa to launch the EDHE AI and Blue Tech Post-Intervarsity Incubation Support Programme.
This programme, which is set to run from February 2025 to July 2025, represents a step towards fostering entrepreneurial focus in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and Blue Tech/Ocean Tech within South Africa’s higher education ecosystem. In an insightful interview with Dr Edwell Gumbo, Director: Entrepreneurship at Universities South Africa, we explored the motivation, structure, and ambitions of this initiative.
The programme emerged from the annual EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Competition, a platform that celebrates entrepreneurial innovation across four sectors: tech, research-based, social impact, and general business. Historically, the competition concluded with the announcement of winners, leaving a gap in post-competition support for budding entrepreneurs.
Through discussions with the Embassy of France in South Africa, an opportunity was identified to address this gap by providing six months of incubation support for select innovators. This collaboration was driven by the embassy’s strategic focus on AI and Blue Tech, two fields with global relevance and immense potential for local impact.
Launching the Programme at the Annual EDHE Awards 2024
At the Annual EDHE Awards, the French/EDHE AI and Blue Tech Incubation Programme was officially launched by Innovation Attaché, Mr Geoffroy Berson (right). He shared: “At the French Embassy in South Africa, we are committed to supporting innovation along two strategic lines: innovators who have a positive impact on the country and community; either through working on Green Growth – because they are working on economic inclusion for everyone, or because they are tackling important issues like public health.
“The other is supporting those who are shaping the future – by investing in building on the breakthrough technologies that will shape the services industries and technologies of tomorrow, and will help South Africa become future-proof and future-ready.”
Mr Berson described the French Embassy’s partnership with Universities South Africa (USAf) as an investment in the future of South Africa, emphasising, “because you, and what you are building, are the future.”
He explained that this partnership would, over the next few months, support four ‘exceptional’ entrepreneurs focusing on two areas of mutual importance to both France and South Africa: AI and the oceans.
Mr Berson further detailed the French/South African partnership plan, outlining a six-month tailored programme for entrepreneurs. He noted, *“There will be business strategy and business model training. The course will also include investment readiness preparation.
“Our role at the Embassy,”* he added, “will be to connect the most promising partners in both countries. There is a big ecosystem in France, and a lot of value could be derived from these connections.”
Mr Berson remarked, “For us, it is more than a six-month incubation programme – it’s a new bridge between two ecosystems that would benefit from working with each other on two topics that are key for the future of our societies and economies.”
Fostering Innovation in AI and Blue Tech
Dr Edwell Gumbo (right) shared, “This aligns with our strategic direction in tech, particularly with the need to keep our oceans healthy and clean, as well as the influence of ocean tech/blue tech on climate change. This will also be a source of livelihood for those living in coastal and seaside areas.”
The tech category has been redefined to focus specifically on AI and Blue Tech, highlighting the increasing importance of these industries in addressing global challenges. This pilot programme will support two entrepreneurs from each sector, all of whom will be selected from South Africa’s 26 public universities
Blue Tech, or Ocean Tech, focuses on using marine resources sustainably, from fighting pollution to creating technologies that help address climate change. Dr Gumbo further explained, “AI, as it is already, has had a significant impact on business. It has infiltrated aspects of our daily lives in more ways than we care to imagine.”
A Bridge Between South Africa and France
The French/EDHE AI and Blue Tech Incubation Programme is designed to equip young entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and exposure to both South African and French tech ecosystems. Delivered entirely online, it ensures accessibility for participants across the country, eliminating location-based barriers while reducing costs for university students who often have limited resources.
Participants can expect guidance from industry leaders and a focus on refining their innovations to be market-ready. Dr Gumbo noted, “Ideally, the idea is for these entrepreneurs to gain exposure to both the South African and French tech ecosystems. Though this pipeline still needs to be clearly defined, as the programme grows out of the pilot phase and yields desired results, this is the path we wish to embark on.”
The programme targets university students with validated ideas or businesses in AI or Blue Tech. While it favours startups that have progressed beyond the ideation stage, there is room for early-stage innovators who have validated their concepts and determined market potential.
As the French/EDHE AI and Blue Tech Incubation Programme takes shape, its potential to bridge the gap between academic innovation and market success is undeniable. This initiative not only aims to nurture innovation but also addresses broader societal challenges, from promoting ocean sustainability to leveraging AI for economic growth.
By laying a strong foundation through this pilot phase, EDHE and its partner hope to establish a sustainable pipeline for nurturing entrepreneurial talent. This programme is about more than just supporting entrepreneurs; it is about equipping them to tackle global challenges while creating opportunities within their communities.
With the programme set to launch in early 2025, the countdown to a new era of entrepreneurial support has begun. As South Africa’s young innovators prepare to make their mark, this initiative stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and the pursuit of sustainable progress.
Submissions open on 2 December 2024 and close on 31 January 2025. More information and application details can be found at https://edhe.co.za/ai-blue-tech-incubation-programme/.
Co-written by Ms Thoriso Kolobe a contract writer for Universities South Africa, and Ms Khutso Moleko, Media and Marketing Officer at Universities South Africa