Von Seidels aboard the search for innovative water saving technology.

In an effort to address the water crisis in the Western Cape, the Austrian Trade Commission (ATC), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Silicon Cape and RIIS recently launched an open innovation challenge looking for agri-water technology innovations.

Since then several new partners have actively joined the effort – including the Water Research Commission (WRC), Hortgro and Winetech. The WRC is committed to funding research and making meaningful contributions to the development of the water sector in South Africa.

• What is Open Innovation?     
  An open approach to innovation, akin to crowd sourcing, believes that the best ideas can often be found outside of a single organisation. Open innovation helps organisations to rapidly identify and source ideas and solutions in a safe and low risk manner.

• What is meant by challenge?
  An open innovation challenge is a public call, intended to bring together as many great ideas and solutions as possible to solve a problem, or take advantage of an opportunity. Challenges are usually run via an online Open Innovation platform

Submissions from entrepreneurs, universities and other interested parties are welcome. Opportunities for top submissions include entrepreneur support, including mentoring and a workshop in business model validation, business pitches and proposals, and market validation, as well as business matchmaking.

Sponsors:   Von Seidels and I Makers Lab

In addition to the opportunities mentioned above, Von Seidels will be offering IP protection to the top submission, and I Makers Lab will be offering Research & development assistance for the top submission.

For further information about this challenge please visit the website: www.agriwater.org.za

For any challenge process or technical queries contact Tel.: +27 (0) 012 012 5015 / +27(0) 76 412 6536 or Email: support@agriwater.org.za