Cape Town Soft-landing

Launching your startup operations in Africa has never been easier.

Understand the market.

Get a head start in the South African market by learning the ins and outs of how to do business in South Africa and where the opportunities lie.

Do it right.

Get support in setting up all the fiduciary requirements and taxation to help you get going in the new territory.

Get to the right people.

With our broad network stretching across startup, corporate and government institutions as well as our partnership with AfricArena, we help you get to the right people.

We help European and African startups set up and get going faster in South Africa with our Cape Town soft-landing program and network support.

The Program:

European and African Innovation startups, researchers, academics, hubs and investors this is your opportunity to join the SEADE Project’s South African Soft-landing.

Be a part of a 3 month program that connects you to South African digital and technology based research and innovation ecosystem players with the aim of sparking cooperation and collaborations between EU and South African through online webinars, workshops, and a visit to Cape Town for 10 days to network at a series of events including the AfricArena Grand Summit and the SEADE R&I Summit. The program will be hosted and powered by the Methys Group consisting of the FSAT Labs, AfricArena and the Enrich in Africa Centre.

The program will consist of the following:

  • Weekly webinars with South African guest speakers from digital and technology research and innovation backgrounds

  • Assistance in connecting with potential collaborators in the fields of digital and technology research and innovation in South Africa

  • 10 nights in Cape Town paid for to network and connect with innovation ecosystem players at events such as AfricArena Grand Summit and the SEADE R&I Summit

Apply by 16th of October 2024, at 11:59 GMT. Don’t miss this chance to promote your research and innovation in South Africa!

Program Highlights:

  • Curated 3 month program with South African digital and technology research and innovation ecosystem players with the objective of encouraging collaborate partnerships between Europe and Africa

  • 8 week online program with weekly webinars with leading South African digital and technology research and innovation ecosystem players

  • Curated 2-week program immersed in the Cape Town ecosystem.

  • Workshops with government departments, legal firms, local startups, innovation centres, and investors.

  • Learning expeditions of Cape Town and Stellenbosch’s innovation centres, think tanks, universities, startups and VC firms.

  • 2-day Founders’ Deal Flow Bootcamp.

  • Access to AfricArena’s Grand Summit events from 2nd to 4th of December

  • Access to the SEADE R & I Summit on the 4th December

  • B2B match making with local ecosystem players

  • Program support with market analysis and mentorship

Startup Benefits:

  • Accommodation and on the ground logistics provided for 10 night stay in Cape Town

  • Participation in the AfricaRise Founder's Deal Flow Bootcamp in Cape Town.

  • Participation at the AfricArena Grand Summit and associated events.

  • Opportunities to pitch at certain events during the soft-landing program

  • B2B engagement, matchmaking, and networking opportunities.

  • Workshops on setting up operations in South Africa, covering tax, regulations, business registration, legal, and labour matters.

  • Networking opportunities with Cape Town-based government departments, businesses, investors, corporate and ecosystem partners.

  • Access and participation to the SEADE R & I Summit

  • Exploration of the Cape Town and Stellenbosch digital and tech ecosystems

  • Connections and match making to local investors.