TIA Seed Fund
Backs research teams and institutions at universities, science councils, and SMMEs to advance research outputs into prototypes across eight priority sectors.
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Seed Fund is a rolling, continuously open grant instrument established under South Africa's Technology Innovation Agency Act No. 26 of 2008. Administered by TIA β a state entity under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) β the Seed Fund targets researchers at universities, science councils, and small to medium enterprises (SMMEs) seekinβ¦
Pre-prototype and prototype development for innovations across any sector at TRL 3β8, delivered through South African universities, science councils, and SMMEs.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see the timeline
Guides for this application
All guides βGrants for Biotech Startups: NIH, NSF, SBIR/STTR, and Non-Dilutive Funding
A practical guide to grants for biotech startups, including NIH SBIR/STTR, NSF, translational funding, evidence, regulatory readiness, and budgets.
Start hereTRL Levels Explained for Deeptech Founders
Learn what TRL levels mean, how to estimate technology readiness, and how TRL affects grants, EIC Accelerator, SBIR/STTR, funding stage, and application evidence.
DocumentsProof-of-Concept Data for Grants: Evidence Examples for Deeptech Applications
See how to present proof-of-concept data in grant applications, with examples for evidence registers, test logs, pilot data, and prior project proof.
Start hereStartup Funding Stages for Deeptech: From Lab to Scale
A deeptech funding roadmap that maps startup funding stages to TRL, grants, SBIR/STTR, EIC Accelerator, pilots, VC, and scale-up evidence.
More from TIA
All grants from this funder βTIA Commercialisation Support Fund
πΏπ¦TIA Β· South Africa
Connects startup and industry teams with commercialization support for TIA Commercialisation Support Fund in agriculture innovation, biotechnology, and energy systems.
TIA Grassroots Innovation Programme
πΏπ¦TIA Β· South Africa
Invests research teams and institutions for TIA Grassroots Innovation in agriculture innovation, hardware, and manufacturing.
TIA Industry Matching Fund
πΏπ¦TIA Β· South Africa
Funds industry collaboration in South Africa through TIA matching mechanisms that share risk with Venture Capital (VCs), Angel investors, institutional investors, and industry partners.
TIA Technology Acquisition and Deployment Fund
πΏπ¦TIA Β· South Africa
Administers research teams and institutions for TIA Technology Acquisition and Deployment Fund in agriculture innovation, biotechnology, and energy systems.
TIA Technology Development Fund
πΏπ¦TIA Β· South Africa
Provides research teams and institutions for TIA Technology Development Fund in agriculture innovation, biotechnology, and energy systems.
VVISDP β Rural Community Networks, City of uMhlathuze
πΏπ¦TIA Β· South Africa
Supports community broadband and wireless networks in rural South African municipalities through technology validation.
Similar grants
Browse the directory βThe Audacious Project
πΊπΈAudacious Project Β· United States
Offers The Audacious Project invitation-only multi-issue funding for social-impact ideas with broad partner backing.
DSI Technology Innovation Programme
πΏπ¦DSTI Β· South Africa
Funds research teams and institutions for DSI Technology Innovation in biotechnology, energy systems, and space technology.
BIS
πΏπ¦the dtic Β· South Africa
Supports research teams and institutions for BIS in manufacturing, energy systems, and aerospace.
CIP
πΏπ¦the dtic Β· South Africa
Offers research teams and institutions for CIP in built environment, manufacturing, and energy systems.
Eureka Network Projects β Permanent
πͺπΊEUREKA Β· Global / Multinational
Offers open access collaboration through Eureka Network Projects so small enterprises can join international innovation groups.
MCEP Production Incentive
πΏπ¦the dtic Β· South Africa
Supports South African manufacturers with production credits for equipment upgrades that improve competitiveness and retention.