The SAB Foundation has announced the finalists of its 3rd Annual Social Innovation Awards 2013. A total of 26 finalists will vie for the R1-million first place prize, which will be used to grow and commercialise their product or service.
Each of these innovations is a product or service which benefits one or more of the SAB Foundation's beneficiaries - women, the youth, people living with disabilities and people living in rural areas.
- Green Feed Effect - greenhouses at public schools to educate young learners on planting and growing fruit and vegetables.
- SavvyLoo - waterless toilet for rural areas and temporary settlements
- FerBiGas - production of natural gas (methane gas) and fertilizer to power appliances
- Tour 2.0 - promotes community tourism
- Anti-Crime Street Pole - deterring crime through wireless technology and voice recognition
- Market Development for Farmers - building capacity, developing skills and providing access to market for rural projects
- Unjani Clinic - provides accessible, affordable and quality primary healthcare
- Lighting up the Townships - By Day and Night - affordable, clean, safe and sustainable lighting and energy solutions to rural households that have limited access to the electricity grid
- Kickstart Business Magazine - empowering small black-owned businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs living in townships and rural areas
- Uncle Tera's Deli and Catering - Apprentice and Training - provides employment and culinary skills to at-risk youth
- ProYouth Naturals SNE Complex 54 - natural extract of traditional African herbs with healing and wellness properties
- Power in a Bottle - innovative solar energy product
- Know Your Child - improving interaction between working parents and teachers through mobile technology
- Light of Dawn - creating power using recycled products
- SpringAge - helping young people develop innovative ideas
- Repurpose Schoolbag - transforms plastic shopping bags into reusable school bags
- Learner Centre - internet based communication and collaboration platform for learners and teachers
- Motor Monitor Cam - recording device for vehicles to avoid legal costs
- Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix - injectable bone regeneration product
- The Terrawatt Raptor Renewable Energy Device - electricity generation using renewable wind energy
- Jacklin Organic Food Security Incubator - organic food garden
- Bulk Brick Layer - provides brick laying skills
- SMART Standby - reducing the demand for electricity
- "Vula" - Eye Health Mobile Phone App - connecting people with eye care services and eye care screening
- Real Care Chemicals/Naturals - natural plant based hair care product with a focus on preventing hair loss
- Community Glass Recycling Project - income generation through recycling
Following a competition format, the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards selects eligible innovative product and service entries and then narrows down the search for the best over three rigorous judging phases. The judging panel comprises independent experts in the entrepreneurship and innovation space, as well as key individuals with intimate knowledge of the beneficiary groups.
Apart from the first place prize of R1-million, 2nd place will receive an investment of R500,000 and 3rd place, R300,000. Additionally, a number of seed grants will be awarded to other finalists.
Winners receive the grant funding in tranches over a period. The amount is determined by their growth plan to commercialise and upscale the service and product.
The Innovation Awards form part of the SAB Foundation's primary focus to ignite a culture of entrepreneurship in South Africa as a source of economic growth, job creation and innovation.
Winners will be announced at an awards function on 29 October 2013.
