The Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) has been actively involved in promoting the development of youth and entrepreneur skills in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector since 2016. EPF has a strong focus on recognizing and supporting local talent and technology in South Africa.
To highlight and celebrate the achievements in this field, EPF organizes the Annual South African Technology Awards. This prestigious event aims to showcase the talent and technology of tech-based businesses across all nine provinces of South Africa. The awards will provide an opportunity for these businesses to gain recognition and exposure for their innovative contributions to the ICT sector.
EPF is enthusiastic about creating a platform that not only acknowledges the achievements of South African tech businesses but also encourages their continued growth and success. By organizing the Annual South African Technology Awards, EPF aims to foster a vibrant and competitive tech ecosystem within the country while promoting local talent and homegrown technology solutions.
Lifetime Achievement
Tech Industry leaders
NPO/NGO Impact in Social,
youth & Innovation
Outstanding Women in Tech
Young/Emerging Innovator
Global Impact - Foreign companies making an impact in SA
Best Tech Solution
Best Tech Start-up
Best Tech Product
Entrepreneur of the Year
Social Impact Creator (Company/Project)
Leadership & Community Builder
Should be a South African Citizen
Youth Aged 18 - 35 years
Be a Registered business in South Africa
1 - 3 Years SMME in operation
Social Impact Creator (Company/Project)
Entrepreneurs:
18 - 35 Years old
Technology Readiness Level - 6
Technology Readiness Level 6 Description:
Prototype System Verified: System/process prototype demonstration in an operational environment (beta prototype system level).
Impact Sectors:
1. Water 2. Energy 3. Unemployment
4. Health 5. Agriculture
6. Housing 7. Education 8. Rural
9. Transport 10. Safety
The individual should have made a significant impact in their field or industry, and have a track record of achieving excellence and success throughout their career.
The individual should have made notable contributions to their field or industry, such as developing new concepts, theories, or technologies, advancing the state of the art, or driving innovation and progress.
The individual should have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, inspiring and motivating others, and mentoring and developing new talent in their field or industry.
The individual should have received recognition and acclaim for their work, such as awards, accolades, or honors from peers, colleagues, or professional organizations.
The individual should have maintained a consistent level of excellence over a prolonged period of time, showing a sustained commitment to their field or industry.
The individual should have inspired others, serving as a role model and mentor, and motivating others to achieve their full potential in their field or industry.
First Name & Last name (contact info) Documents - Business Reg Form & Pitch Deck
The leader should have a track record of driving innovation in their industry, bringing new products, services, or technologies to market, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
The leader should have a clear and compelling vision for their company, industry, or society, and be able to articulate it to others, inspiring and motivating them to follow.
The leader should have strong business acumen, with a deep understanding of the market, competition, and trends, and be able to make strategic decisions that drive growth and profitability.
The leader should have exceptional leadership skills, building and managing high-performing teams, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, and empowering others to achieve their full potential.
The leader should have made a significant impact on their industry, transforming it in a positive way.
The leader should be able to adapt to change and uncertainty and respond quickly and effectively to new challenges and opportunities.
The leader should value and prioritize diversity and inclusion, creating a culture that welcomes and celebrates differences, and fosters a sense of belonging for all employees.
The NPO should have made a significant impact on socio-economic issues, such as poverty, inequality, education, health, or environmental sustainability, at a global level.
The NPO should have introduced new and creative solutions to address socio-economic challenges and demonstrated a willingness to take risks and experiment with new ideas.
The NPO should have demonstrated a long-term commitment to sustainability, by adopting responsible and ethical practices and ensuring the long-term viability of their programs and initiatives.
The NPO should have formed strategic partnerships with other organizations, governments, or communities, to create opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit.
The individual should have maintained a consistent level of excellence over a prolonged period of time, showing a sustained commitment to their field or industry.
The individual should have inspired others, serving as a role model and mentor, and motivating others to achieve their full potential in their field or industry.
The NPO should value and prioritize diversity and inclusion, creating a culture that welcomes and celebrates differences, and fosters a sense of belonging for all members.
The NPO should be transparent in their operations, by sharing information on their financials, activities, and impact, and maintaining accountability to stakeholders.
The company should have made a significant impact in South Africa, such as creating jobs, investing in infrastructure or education, or advancing social and environmental causes.
The company should have introduced new products, services, or technologies that have helped to drive growth and development in South Africa.
The company should have formed strategic partnerships with local businesses, organizations, or governments, creating opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit.
The company should have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, minimizing environmental impact, and promoting social responsibility and ethical business practices.
The company should value and prioritize diversity and inclusion, creating a culture that welcomes and celebrates differences, and fosters a sense of belonging for all employees.
The company should be customer-focused, understanding the needs and preferences of South African customers, and delivering products and services that meet or exceed their expectations.
The company should have strong leadership, a clear vision and strategy for their business in South Africa, and a demonstrated ability to execute their plans and deliver results.
The company should have a strong corporate social responsibility program, with a focus on giving back to the local community, supporting education, healthcare, or other important causes.
The company should have helped to transfer technology and knowledge to South Africa, building local skills and capabilities, and promoting innovation and growth.
The company should have positively impacted their industry in South Africa, promoting competition, driving innovation, and raising standards of excellence.
The nominee should have demonstrated exceptional technical expertise and skill in the field of technology.
The nominee should have made significant contributions to the field of technology by developing new and innovative solutions, products, or services.
The nominee should have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, such as the ability to inspire and motivate others, to make strategic decisions, and to effectively communicate a vision for the future.
The nominee should have made a significant impact on the technology industry and/or society, such as through the development of new technologies or by influencing public policy.
The nominee should have shown a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the technology industry, such as by advocating for underrepresented groups, mentoring, and supporting others, or creating inclusive workplace cultures.
The nominee should have demonstrated a commitment to giving back to the community through involvement in charitable or volunteer organizations, mentorship programs, or other initiatives that support and empower others.
The innovation should be original, innovative, and creative. It should solve a problem or address a need in a unique way.
The innovation should have a significant positive impact on society, the environment, or the economy.
The innovation should be feasible and sustainable. It should have a clear plan for implementation and scalability.
The innovation should have potential for commercialization or demonstrate the potential to create new markets or transform existing ones.
The innovation should reflect a collaborative approach, with a diverse team working together to create the solution.
The innovation should have achieved demonstrable results, with a clear plan for continued development and growth.
The innovation should have the potential to be scaled up and implemented on a larger scale.
The innovation should be socially responsible and align with ethical standards, with consideration given to the impact on human rights, equality, and sustainability.
The innovation should demonstrate the innovative use of technology, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The innovation should be presented in a clear, concise, and compelling manner, with effective communication of the problem, solution, and impact.
The solution should be unique, creative, and innovative. It should offer something new to the market and solve a problem in a novel way.
The solution should work effectively, efficiently, and reliably. It should deliver its intended benefits to its users and be easy to use and maintain.
The solution should be scalable, meaning that it should be able to grow and adapt to changing user needs, business requirements, and market conditions.
The solution should provide a seamless and intuitive user experience, with a focus on user engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
The solution should have a positive impact on its users, the environment, society, or the economy. It should demonstrate a measurable and meaningful contribution to a particular domain or industry.
The solution should be secure and protect the privacy of its users. It should comply with relevant laws and regulations and adhere to best practices in data protection and cybersecurity.
The solution should be compatible and interoperable with other systems, tools, and platforms. It should offer easy integration and customization options for its users.
The solution should provide good value for its cost. It should offer competitive pricing, reasonable licensing terms, and clear ROI for its users and investors.
The solution should demonstrate technical excellence, with robust architecture, high performance, and reliable uptime. It should follow industry standards and best practices and have a strong development team and support infrastructure.
The solution should have a clear roadmap for future development, with a vision for continued innovation, growth, and market leadership. It should be poised to disrupt its industry or domain in a positive way and have a strong competitive advantage over its rivals.
The startup should offer a unique, innovative product or service that addresses a real need or problem in the market.
The company should have a clear plan for scaling up and expanding its business in the future.
The startup should have demonstrated some level of success in gaining customers, generating revenue, and/or establishing partnerships.
The founders and team members should have the skills, experience, and passion necessary to execute on their vision and drive the company forward.
The startup should have a positive impact on society, whether by addressing social or environmental issues or creating jobs and economic growth.
The startup should have a sound financial plan and a path to profitability, with realistic projections and clear metrics for success.
The company should operate in a growing or emerging industry with significant potential for disruption and innovation.
The startup should have a clear competitive advantage over existing players in the market, whether through technology, intellectual property, or other factors.
The product should demonstrate innovative technology or features that set it apart from others in the market.
The product should be easy to use, intuitive, and provide an enjoyable user experience.
The product should have an aesthetically pleasing and functional design.
The product should perform as advertised and have a high level of reliability and durability.
The product should have a positive impact on society or the industry it is targeting.
The product should be scalable to meet the needs of a large user base and have potential for growth.
The product should be accessible to a wide range of users, including those with disabilities.
The product should have robust security features to protect users' data and privacy.
The product should offer good value for money and be affordable for its intended audience.
The product should have a high level of customer support and be responsive to user feedback and concerns.
The entrepreneur should have developed an innovative product, service, or business model that solves a significant problem or meets a market need in a unique way.
The entrepreneur should have made a significant impact on their industry, community, or society. This could be measured in terms of job creation, revenue growth, social or environmental impact, or other relevant metrics.
The entrepreneur should demonstrate strong leadership skills, including vision, strategic thinking, communication, and the ability to motivate and inspire others.
The entrepreneur should have demonstrated the ability to overcome challenges and persevere through difficult times, such as economic downturns, industry disruptions, or personal setbacks.
The entrepreneur should prioritize customer satisfaction and have a deep understanding of their customer’s needs and preferences.
The entrepreneur should have achieved strong financial performance, including revenue growth, profitability, and return on investment.
The entrepreneur should demonstrate a commitment to ethical and socially responsible business practices, including transparency, integrity, and respect for stakeholders.
The entrepreneur should have developed a business that has the potential to scale and grow rapidly, either nationally or globally.
The entrepreneur should have built and led a strong team, including attracting and retaining top talent, fostering a positive company culture, and developing employees' skills and abilities.
The entrepreneur should have received recognition from their industry peers, such as awards, accolades, or invitations to speak at conferences or events.
The leader should have a clear and inspiring vision for their organization or team and be able to articulate a strategy to achieve it.
The leader should be an effective communicator, able to convey their vision and strategy to their team and stakeholders and be able to listen actively and respond appropriately.
The leader should be able to make well-informed and timely decisions, considering both short-term and long-term implications, and be able to justify their decisions.
The leader should be able to build a strong and diverse team, promoting collaboration, empowerment, and accountability, and fostering a positive work culture.
TThe leader should be able to deliver results, meet or exceed goals and objectives, and continuously improve performance.
The leader should be ethical and act with integrity, modeling the behaviours and values they expect from their team, and being transparent and accountable for their actions.
The leader should encourage and foster innovation and creativity, promoting experimentation, risk-taking, and learning from failures.
The leader should be able to navigate challenges and uncertainties, adapt to changing circumstances, and demonstrate resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks.
By sponsoring a tech event, sponsors can increase their brand visibility and exposure to a relevant and engaged audience. This can help to increase brand recognition and awareness.
Tech events can provide sponsors with opportunities to generate new leads and potential customers. By interacting with attendees and showcasing their products or services, sponsors can attract new business.
Sponsoring a tech event can provide sponsors with opportunities to network with other industry professionals, potential partners, and investors. This can help to build valuable connections and relationships.
By sponsoring a tech event and providing thought leadership content or speakers, sponsors can position themselves as experts in their industry. This can help to build credibility and trust with potential customers.
Tech events can provide sponsors with opportunities to connect with talented individuals in the industry, including potential employees, contractors, and freelancers. This can help to build a strong team and support business growth.
FNB
Branch Code: 250955
Account no: 62630239243
Account type: Cheque
The Empire Partner Foundation Tech Hub is a non-profit organisation that was started by a group of young South Africans. Our goal is to build South Africa, and eventually the continent of Africa, by solving key challenges through tech. The Empire Partner Foundation has launched multiple activities to achieve their goal in building Africa in Tech.
We have a wide range of technologies at EPF Tech Hub that support Africa’s progress and development. As a technology community, we promote innovative thinking. We bring people with similar interests, but with a focus on technology to create an environment that enables both individuals and businesses to thrive. We support the progress and development of Africa with technology.
The Incubation hub is an opportunity for the winning hackathon teams to build a tech start up around their winning solutions from the hackathons. We believe that the solutions our country needs lie in its youth, therefore we pride ourselves on developing young entrepreneurs with radical ideas and disruptive solutions that are innovative and sustainable
The EPF Tech Fund is a privately managed Venture Capital Company. The investors in the fund are companies that are committed to future-proofing Africa by investing in youth-led technology solutions that are scalable across the continent.We look for high-growth, high-impact businesses able to deliver exceptional returns along with sustained socio-economic impact.
