The Swiss Embassy in South Africa, The National Research Foundation, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health
Institute and the University of Basel  ,in colaboration with various partners from both SA and Switzerland, are running an Open Innovation Challenge aimed at addressing the need for better health outcomes in low-income settlements, by identifying and offering support to sustainable innovations.
Innovations in the following key areas will be considered: Waste disposal, access to water, sanitation and hygiene; renewable, clean and affordable energy; and affordable building materials with a low environmental impact. Innovations in architecture or planning to reduce unintentional injuries and improve health and safety in low-income housing environments are also applicable.

Note: Although the main interest of this challenge is to address underlying health issues in the context of gap housing, innovations which are relevant to other types of human settlements (e.g. RDPs, informal dwellings) will still be considered.

Solutions of interest for this challenge should at least be at the proof of concept” stage. In other words, feasibility of the proposed innovation must be proven. Relevant solutions may be up to pre-commercial or commercial levels.

Shortlisted submissions will have access to a number of opportunities:

• Participation at a specially hosted World Café; a matchmaking, showcasing and networking event;
• Participation in the Swiss-South African Entrepreneur and Business Development Programme
• Linkages with universities and research entities for potential partnerships;
• Networking event at the Swiss Embassy in South Africa;
• Showcasing of innovations in the planned Swiss South Africa World Environmental and Water Resources Congress in 2018;
• Distribution of winning innovations marketing materials to relevant South African industries and companies;
• Workshops on doing business in South Africa;
• Technology validation access in a ETH-Zurich test house;
• Incubation support and seed funding from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) South Africa
• Travel support for both Swiss and South African entrepreneurs

Proposals can be submitted up until 31st of July 2017. For more information on the challenge, visit our website or click here to view the Challenge Brief.

Post by SIIH