PwC is looking for emerging companies with tech-enabled solutions from all industries to enter the 2015 Vision to Reality Awards Programme.
The company has collaborated with SA Innovation Summit, Wesgro and the City of Cape Town, and will use the SA Innovation Summit Pitching Den as the platform for the top 20 Vision to Reality entrants to pitch.
The Vision to Reality Awards programme seeks to encourage companies with high-growth potential to become market leaders and inspire future startups, and is supported by Silicon Cape, U-Start, the CITi Bandwidth Barn initiative and Grindstone.
Applicants must be either controlled or headquartered in Africa, have their management team and R&D activities located in Africa, own proprietary technology or have intellectual property that contributes to a significant portion of operating revenue, and provide tech-enabled solutions spanning across any industry.
“Particular areas of interest include software and cloud-based solutions, big data, cyber security and fintech,” PwC said.
Companies that apply must also record a turnover of more than ZAR25 million (US$2 million) per annum currently or within the next two years, demonstrate high growth potential or increasing market share, as well as scalability, be close to achieving break-even or profitability, and have national or international expansion plans.
The nomination process will take place on the SA Innovation Summit online platform, after which a shortlist of 20 companies will be selected by an independent panel of judges. These companies will then pitch their solutions at the SA Innovation Summit PwC Pitching Den.
10 companies will then be selected to enter into PwC’s mentorship programme, after which they will make their final presentations to the panel of judges at PwC. The top three winners, including the overall winner, will be announced at a separate Vision to Reality awards ceremony.
