The SAB Foundation’s annual Social Innovation Awards culminated with four innovative solutions walking away with a total of ZAR2.6 million (US$192,000) in grant money.
The annual SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards was this year held in partnership with the Technology and Innovation Agency (TIA) to increase the prize money available to entrepreneurs and innovators.
The overall winner of the award was Low Cost Educational Robotics Toys (LCERT), which took home the ZAR1.2 million (US$88,000) first prize.
LCERT is a low-cost educational robotics toy kit designed and developed to provide learners and educators with affordable access to educational resources in their Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM).
Runner-up was DCP Cable Theft Prevention, which took home ZAR600,000 (US$44,000). The innovation is an overhead and underground system which prevents the digging, cutting and pulling of electricity cables.
Joint third-place winners, each winning prize money of ZAR400,000 (US$30,000), were MediCube – Smart Lockers, and Lower Limb Prosthetic Solution. MediCube – Smart Lockers manages the cost-effective collection of chronic medication from a pickup point or local health facility. Lower Limb Prosthetic Solution manufactures high quality locally made cost-effective prosthetic sockets and blades for lower limb amputees.
“The Technology Innovation Agency has shown great foresight and leadership in recognising the potential our innovators hold for others who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to access products and services that bring improvement to their lives. We are looking forward to working with our innovators and entrepreneurs and ensuring that they maximise the potential of TIA’s offering,” said Bridgit Evans, SAB Foundation manager.
The 19 Social Innovation 2016 finalist innovations were shortlisted from 600 entries, and encompass the Health, Disability, Education, Energy, Water and Sanitation and Livelihoods and Sustainable Agriculture sectors.
