Another important milestone was reached this September in Dogpatch Labs’ drive to continuously enrich the Irish tech ecosystem; connecting global innovation ecosystems with the third successful edition of the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa. And this time attracting international VIPs to the fray. Having heard through pan-African media circles of the impact of the seven dynamic South African startups, who were selected from over 350 competitive applications, both the Irish and South African governments made it their mission to get involved in 2024’s programme in Dublin’s Dogpatch Labs.

An idea germinating in 2021 to create a pathway for emerging tech markets to find a European market launchpad, like that in South Africa, officially kicked off in 2022. The joint initiative is a flagship startup competition that seeks to unearth high-impact South African startups that have developed innovative solutions. With Dogpatch and counterparts Johannesburg’s Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct acting as delivery partners, it’s a collaboration between the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).

The international Showcase event marked the end of an intensive immersion week in Dublin, which drew tech leaders, including Paul Smith (former CEO of UK Accelerator Ignite), Pete Townsend (MD at Techstars Web3) Kwanele Nomoyi (Strategy at Google), and top investors with an exclusive session with Elkstone’s VP Barry Brennan. Political heavyweights entered the ring, including South Africa’s Deputy President (DP), Paul Mashatile, Ireland’s Minister for State of International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming, and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield. Comments made to RTÉ here.

Addressing the Showcase, DP Mashatile remarked on the alignment of these high-impact startups’ solutions and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More specifically, SDG 17 focuses on enhancing the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development technology.  Impressed by the calibre of talent on display, DP Mashatile highlighted the importance of the initiative: “Ireland has welcomed some of our best and brightest as they develop and strengthen the links between our two tech systems. The unique insights gained in Dublin this week will continue to place South Africa as a player on the world’s tech stage.”

As the startups took the stage, the air buzzed with innovation. From cutting-edge FinTech and blockchain solutions to impact-driven ideas tackling sustainability and health challenges, the finalists put forward bold visions for the future of South African tech. 

The showcase was not just a pitch—it was a window into the future. 

Eloquently put by Head of Sustainability and Innovation Programmes at Dogpatch Labs, Ashley Shak who has come full circle from days in Pretoria with the United Nations Global Compact, reminds us that it’s these founders, the passionate ambitious and globally-minded entrepreneurs, who illustrate how startup diplomacy is the way forward to continue building bridges and breaking barriers. DP Paul Mashatile evoked for us in his address that Ireland was one of South Africa’s strongest supporters in the fight against apartheid. “This bond, built on solidarity and collaboration, grows even stronger through initiatives like this.”

South Africa is the highest coal producer on the African continent, which has several negative environmental and social impacts. Prudence Simelane’s startup SAMANJALO is a Green Tech solution that addresses carbon emissions of fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions by extending the circularity of coal waste. As a finalist and participant in the Immersion Week at Dogpatch, Simelane shared her experience with us,

“I truly appreciate the opportunity to be in Ireland to showcase our home-grown South African innovation, and to gain feedback from both an Irish and global perspective. We now have plans to create a presence for our company in Ireland and the relationships we have developed over the week will go a long way in helping us to take these important steps.”

Austin Gormley, Ambassador of Ireland to South Africa, has praised the initiative, stating: “We are pleased to once again welcome the finalists of this year’s Irish Tech Challenge to Ireland as part of this dynamic program. This initiative not only provides a platform for South African startups to engage with Ireland’s thriving tech ecosystem but also create valuable opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and access to international markets.”

Dogpatch Labs’ entrepreneur-in-residence, Hesus Inoma, ended with an optimistic outlook: “We are honoured to have hosted an incredible cohort of startups in Ireland this week. We are proud of the programme as it truly speaks to the strengths of Ireland and South Africa and all that the ecosystems have to offer to the thriving tech sector. We look forward to following the ripple effects that this initiative will ignite in the next few years and decades for both nations.”

For more information on The Irish Tech Challenge and this year’s participants, read on: