Scaling startups in Irish Immersion Week
As Ireland’s leading startup and innovation hub, Dogpatch Labs acts as the gateway for European expansion and global connections for the winning South African startups via ‘Immersion Week’ of the programme. Through a series of tailored masterclasses, site visits to Dogpatch’s big tech neighbours in the Digital Docklands, expert mentoring sessions, and curated networking opportunities, founders depart full suite of startup connections, curated advice to scale, and a pathway for expanding to Ireland and beyond.
So, what can startups expect?
Access to a Thriving Tech Community
Maximise all of Dogpatch Labs’ physical spaces to network, collaborate, and meet with potential customers.
Campus Visits to Tech Giants
Get exclusive introductions to some of the biggest names in the tech ecosystem, plus check out their Irish headquarters.
Pitch Deck Design
Blow investors away at Showcase with tailored support from world-renowned pitch deck designers and storytelling coaches.
Professional Headshots
We’ll help make sure your digital presence is on-brand
Mentoring
Get 1:1 expert coaching from mentors including top entrepreneurs, industry experts and thought leaders
Cultural Excursions
Be immersed in the local Irish culture, through excursions to some of the hottest tourist attractions
"The South African entrepreneurs joining us are developing solutions to address critical sustainability challenges. As the ecosystem connector, Dogpatch Labs creates opportunities for Irish entrepreneurs to learn how we can incorporate this mindset into our own backyard, while supporting the South Africans in rolling out their technologies to the rest of the world.”
Ashley Shak | Head of Sustainability and Innovation Programmes
Supported by a globally-successful ecosystem
From top startup investors, and entrepreneurs-in-residence, to curated workshops from the best-in-class, startups in this programme get access to host of tech innovation experts.
“We are very proud of the rapid growth of the South African tech sector and our innovative startups. We are grateful to Ireland for welcoming 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.”
DP Paul Mashatile | Deputy President, Republic of South Africa
Meet the 2024 Cohort
This year’s showcase tears down the ‘boys club’ image of tech startups with good gender parity in the cohort — three of the seven founders are women. What is also unique about the group is that each solution they bring to the table directly addresses at least two Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), echoing last year’s theme of social-tech entrepreneurship which is a common thread that runs through the South African tech ecosystem.
AdBot
Making online advertising easy, effective and accessible to small and medium businesses
Athena
Helps patients split medical bills into monthly instalments
Credipple
Connects companies across the world to remote work talent with in-demand skills
Samanjalo
A green-tech solution that tackles carbon emissions by extending the circularity of coal waste
Momint
Aims to accelerates clean energy globally and securely using Blockchain technology
The Awareness Company
A the Hydra software product to balance operational efficiency and sustainability
SmartView Technology
Leveraging IoT sensor data to help customers to simplify utility management
Interested in giving back via Immersion Week?
We are always looking for more of the tech ecosystem to deliver masterclasses, mentor these top startups, and host must-visit tech campuses
Get in touch with our team