Testimonials from past applicants of the Global Cleantech Innovation program.
Ceiling in a Can
I had no idea of the long term effects of the GCIP programme. The webinars and training were helpful and this was evident at the recent Climate innovation centre
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conference where both alumni of GCIP were head and shoulders above the other innovators. Both GCIP innovations were selected as finalists for grant funding. This is directly attributed to the Gcip training programme.
The GCIP programme took us to the Innovation Summit where my pitch was noted by SA breweries and they then sponsored Ceiling in a can team to present to London Business school. This presentation was attended by serious businesses and Ceiling in a can is now assisted by Hitachi to prepare for a global rollout.
As a result of further contacts made through the credibility of GCIP, Ceiling in a can was awarded grant funding of R500k.
The Information gained from GCIP was directly used to compete against other businesses and in November 2014 , Ceiling in a can was selected from 20 semi-finalists to be the winner of the Durban chamber of commerce entrepreneur of the year 2014. And the net tesult was fame and fortune.
Lightsperse
We took first prize at the pitching session at the Climate Innovation Conference CIC at the Innovation Hub in Lynnwood Pretoria. The first prize we received was R250 000 in incubator credits. Five winners were announced.
It was a good conference with lots of representatives from CIC and World Bank. I was also able to network with key people from Johannesburg municipality and Salga.
As a result of the GCIP program and its solid emphasis on customers and markets, we looked strongly at our alternative markets , not just focussing on our primary municipal market which could have proven to be difficult. An alternative market which we have identified and have already started background research is the bulk liquid transport, especially bulk fuel transport, from ship to storage, to transport, to petrol station to owner and transport company and refinery databases all in real time. There is a lot of fuel theft and need for real time accounting and real time logistics support which can provide with our technology. Conservation of fuel as limited resource is important We are trying to make contact with the big players like Sasol, Engen, PetroSA.
About the GCIP
The GEF (Global Environment Facility), UNIDO (the United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and TIA (the Technology Innovation Agency) in South Africa are implementing the GCIP (Global Cleantech Innovation Programme) for SMEs to promote clean technology innovation and supporting SMEs and start-ups working on solutions related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste beneficiation and water efficiency. The programme combines a competition and a business accelerator to offer participants progressing through the programme extensive mentoring, training, access to investors and opportunities to showcase their innovations to the media and the public. Participants stand a chance to win a cash award and national business support awards, in addition to a trip to Silicon Valley, CA, to participate in the Cleantech Open Global Forum.
We are calling for applications! Applications close 15 May 2015.
(http://southafrica.cleantechopen.org/)
Source: Press Release
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