Western Cape non-profit business support organisation the Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI) is considering establishing its own portfolio of funds in order to support business development and growth.
A joint initiative of Western Cape Government and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), the CCDI was established in 2001 to support the needs of creative businesses in the province.
The craft and design sector development agency aims to develop capable people and build responsible creative enterprises trading within local and international markets.
It offers product and business support, provides an environment in which designers and craft producers can further develop their existing products or prototype new products, and assists designers and craft producers to define and reach their targeted markets.
The CCDI says it is in the process of applying for a second Jobs Fund project and is investigating the establishment of its own portfolio of funds.
It is calling on startups in the growth phase requiring finance to develop to register an interest, with the deadline for submissions December 11.
“Please note, this is only a call for expressions of interest and not a confirmation of availability of funds; terms and conditions will apply in all instances,” the CCDI said.
The CCDI does have experience of managing funds, having take charge of the Design Innovation Seed Fund (DISF), an initiative of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).
Disrupt Africa reported in February the DISF – which was launched in August of last year – had awarded a total of ZAR6.5 million (US$560,000) to develop 12 innovative ideas in the province.
Among the chosen innovations were transport app GoMetro, bag-packing machine Pro Project Engineering, biotech solution PURIS, e-learning platform Sea Monster and food safety compliance mobile solution ASHTECH.
M-health service iMobiMaMa, mathematics and science game Forge Technologies, smart device manufacturer Nervedata, climbing shoe maker Ajax Manufacturing, solar solution Sicame, solar pool cleaner Eco-Equilibrium, and bone conduction headset manufacturer Stroketech made up the rest of the list.
