Technology Transfer Fund
Introduction
The Seda Technology Programme (Stp) provides a range of services that promote entrepreneurship in industry, particularly in enabling small enterprises to access appropriate technology to become more competitive and grow their businesses. The services include:
Technology Business Incubation
Quality Systems and Conformity Standards
Technology Transfer and Innovation
The Technology Transfer and Innovation Unit of Stp promotes and facilitates the transfer of industrially-relevant technologies and innovations, which are cost-effective, productive and competitive.
Application Criteria
Evidence and documents to be submitted, to be accepted for registration towards assessment:
1. Fully completed TTF application forms, describing the business, employees, customers, innovative technology required, financial growth and job creation potential.
2. 3 comparable quotations for each item requested, from reputable South African suppliers, who are:
a. Registered on the Central Supplier Database of the National Treasury (CSD).
b. Tax compliant on CSD (this status is updated daily by SARS on CSD), since Tax Clearance Certificates are no longer used for supplier verification.
c. Willing to complete the Standard Bid Documents (SBD) confirming business information.
3. Access to secure premises and appropriate production infrastructure, e.g. free from dust and damp, lockable, single phase or 3-phase electrical supply with sufficient Amp rating corresponding to the machine requirement.
4. Proof of business registration
5. Tax Pin
6. Financial records
7. Fully developed product with proof of a highly viable market and competitive advantage
8. Business plan, including marketing plan, competitor analysis, and 3-year cost/revenue projections.
9. Owners and employees must have proven knowledge and skills relevant to the industry sector.
10. Turnover should be R10 000 000 or below.
Sectors within the scope of the Fund policy:
Manufacturing and processing sectors, which are under-supplied, and where a competitive edge can be gained through productive technology
Service-related industries that have an integrated and competitive manufacturing component
Sectors outside the scope of the Fund policy:
oServices sectors
o Retail trade sales
o Financial and legal services, support or training
o Entertainment and events management
o Consulting services
Activities assisted by the Fund:
o Costs directly associated with the Technology Transfer process
o Designs, equipment, systems, machinery and tooling directly related to the technology
oProcess design, formulation, materials and methods transfer, improvement and optimisation
o Expert knowledge, skills and expertise transfer, training and mentoring related to the technology
o For new start-ups only: installation and raw materials, up to 10% of the total amount approved
Activities not assisted by the Fund:
oResearch, development, testing of technology, prototypes and software applications
o Commercialisation processes, and registration of patents and trademarks
o Annual license payments, ongoing license or rental fees, franchise agreements
o Costs pertaining to other parties e.g. licensee or licensor
o Marketing and market feasibility studies
o Business systems unrelated to the manufacturing technologies
o Buildings, roads, vehicles or major civil works
o Major utility installations, high voltage, three-phase electricity, main water supply
o Working capital, staff salaries, raw materials or trading stock
o All costs not directly related to the acquisition of technology
o Re-imbursement of own money to acquire technology before or after approval of an application
o Direct importing costs, e.g. freight, insurance, foreign exchange, customs, storage, transport
Funding Amounts and Co-Payments
A maximum amount of R1 200 000 (including VAT) can be requested, and needs to be motivated by demonstrating return on investment. Funding is limited, only approximately the top 10% of all applications received annually can be funded, so there is a rigorous and competitive evaluation process to assess impact and return on investment, and applications are not automatically approved.
The higher the amount applied for, the more capable the business and its cash-flow has to be, and the more impact is expected in return. Lower applications often demonstrate better impact return on investment for the Fund, and particularly applications below R 150 000 are encouraged.
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