Help design change and develop real solutions for some of South Africa’s toughest problems.
Applications are now closed.
In response to the successful 2020 RE:SOLVE Challenge pilot, we are excited to launch the 2nd RE:SOLVE Challenge; a unique combination of learning programme, incubator, and grant fund, and call on local entrepreneurs to help unlock new, or facelift old, products, services and solutions, through a fast paced eight-month Design Thinking programme.
Funded by the City of Cape Town, the RE:SOLVE Challenge only accepts online entries from big thinkers in and around Cape Town primarily, but entrepreneurs and teams from around the country can apply, there are a few wildcard spaces reserved for other provinces.
Are you thinking big?
If you have an idea that you think can create positive impact, with a focus on access to economic opportunities, quality healthcare, food security, water & sanitation, and you want to develop that idea into a product or service, this challenge is for you.
A hands-on Design Thinking learning experience, exposing you to business building experts and grant funding available for prototyping of selected projects. An experience that will leave you richer - no matter the outcome.
RE:SOLVE Challenge Details
To apply for the Challenge, submit your details in the form below. Participants will be selected from these applications, and invited to join in the programme.
With sustainability a key factor in judging, you will be encouraged to address these four vital pillars with your idea:
Community - enriching those around you
Ecology - not harming, but rather benefiting the planet
Dignity - valuing people and providing them a sense of worth
Sustainability - an ability to generate income to sustain and grow your idea
The on-line programme consists of 5 stages where you will learn how to accelerate and validate your business ideas in the real world. All selected ideas will have the opportunity to attend 4 online workshops and a live research Q&A. Each stage has a deliverable project that will need to be completed and evaluated. To move through to stage 5, you will need to submit a grant application, and the most viable solutions will be awarded funding to produce prototypes.
Only selected ideas will have the opportunity to participate in the 5th phase of the challenge.
Stage 1: How to understand what your customers really want | This stage is open to all selected ideas and consists of a design thinking courses and a facilitated virtual workshop.
Stage 2: How to make your idea 10x better | This stage is open to all selected ideas. Via a facilitated virtual workshop, learn ideation techniques to help refine and improve your idea.
Stage 3: How to validate your idea | This stage is open to all selected ideas. Via a facilitated virtual workshop, learn about prototype options and methodologies, the best possible options for your virtual idea, and how to cost that idea.
Stage 4: How to make your idea financially viable | This stage is open to all selected ideas. Via a facilitated virtual workshop, develop your business model, pricing and high level business plan and submit together with your grant application.
Submissions will be evaluated, and between 4-6 selected ideas awarded grant funding and progress to the next and final phase.
Stage 5: Build your Prototype, Test and Pitch your idea | This stage is only open to final selected grant applicants. This stage will enable you to build a prototype iteration, test and refine functionality of your design, and with the help of industry mentors, prepare a high level pitch presentation.
Leave Richer - No Matter the Outcome
Ultimately, the key take-away from this Challenge is the opportunity to walk away with a marketable product or service. However, during the process, applicants will also benefit from:
Learning about design thinking principles and methodologies
Opportunities to network with budding entrepreneurs
Developing teamwork skills, while working with potential business partners
Gaining a fresh perspective on how to approach and solve problems
Engaging with the supportive mentor guidance and expert advice
Additional support for local innovators
The RE:SOLVE Challenge is but one of the ways in which the CDI supports local innovation. Our Design Innovation Seed Fund (DISF) has supported projects to date through grants of over R18m in total. The DISF funds designers, inventors, entrepreneurs and product developers with pre-revenue innovative technologies (these must be between Technology Readiness Level 3 and 7). The DISF is managed by CDI Capital, which was incorporated as a subsidiary of the CDI in 2016 to catalyse funding for SMEs. Applicants to the RE:SOLVE challenge with innovative solutions that involve some breakthrough technology may be eligible for the Design Innovation Seed Fund for access to up to R800 000 in additional support. RE:SOLVE Challenge applicants who meet the eligibility criteria of the DISF will be requested to complete an additional assessment to determine suitability.
Are you a big-thinking
sponsor?
The RE:SOLVE Challenge is seeking corporate sponsors to help local entrepreneurs innovate new products and solutions. We welcome commitments in mentorship, time, as well as R20k grants for the entrepreneurs to prototype ideas.Email jacqueline.dyson@thecdi.org.za
The power of Design Thinking: Nevo Hadas of dY/dX on the RE:SOLVE Challenge
About Cape Town as a UNESCO City of Design
The CDI is proud to partner with Cape Town as a UNESCO City of Design through this project. In 2017, Cape Town was the first city in Africa to be named a UNESCO City of Design, joining a total of 180 cities in UNESCO’s global Creative Cities Network. The honour recognises a city’s design status and commitment to promoting and developing the cultural and creative industries.
Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to foster international cooperation with and between cities committed to investing in creativity as a driver for sustainable urban development, social inclusion and cultural vibrancy. To date, more than 30 world cities have received the Design City designation.
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