Application Deadline:
13 November 2025
About Organisation
Lovedale TVET College, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) South Africa, is spearheading a transformative initiative to promote innovation-driven entrepreneurship among Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students. Through its Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubation (CFERI), Lovedale TVET College aims to nurture young innovators, providing them with access to mentorship, training, and industry exposure. UNDP’s partnership ensures the initiative aligns with sustainable development goals, promoting inclusive growth, job creation, and local innovation ecosystems.
The collaboration focuses on creating a long-term innovation-to-venture pipeline that empowers students to translate creative ideas into practical, market-ready solutions. By combining academic learning with experiential innovation, the partnership envisions building South Africa’s next generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs capable of addressing both local and global challenges through technology, design, and sustainability.
About the Grant
The Lovedale TVET Student Fund Challenge seeks an Innovation Hub Partner to implement Phase 1 of its student innovation programme. This initiative encourages students to develop solutions within five focus areas — Communications Technology, Fintech, Art & Design for Innovation, Climate & Smart Agriculture, and Engineering, AI & Emerging Technologies.
The selected service provider will be responsible for mentoring participants, guiding ideation and prototype development, and hosting engagement activities such as masterclasses and industry talks. Additionally, the project involves a comprehensive capacity-building component to train staff and students in emerging technologies like 3D printing, robotics, microcontrollers, and virtual reality applications.
Phase 1 will conclude with a Pitch Day event, where student innovators present their ideas to potential investors and industry leaders. The initiative’s broader goal is to establish an annual innovation-to-venture pipeline through CFERI, creating a sustainable ecosystem for entrepreneurship and skill development across South Africa’s TVET institutions.
Who can Apply?
Eligible applicants include qualified innovation hubs, business incubators, NGOs, or social enterprises with proven experience in implementing youth innovation or entrepreneurship programmes, preferably within the education or vocational training sectors. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to deliver technical mentorship, entrepreneurial training, and prototype development support aligned with the five thematic areas of the challenge.
Experience working with academic institutions, development agencies, or government bodies in the field of technology innovation or start-up incubation will be an added advantage. The applicant organisation should possess relevant expertise in managing large-scale training and innovation events, such as hackathons, pitch sessions, and masterclasses, while also being adept at engaging industry mentors and ecosystem partners.
Applicants must have the ability to execute a six-month implementation plan, coordinate with CFERI and UNDP, and adapt to the academic schedules of TVET institutions. A strong track record in promoting sustainability, inclusion, and gender-responsive programming is desirable.
How to Apply?
Interested organisations must submit a proposal outlining their methodology, implementation plan, team structure, and prior experience in managing innovation programmes. Proposals should include technical and financial details, demonstrating alignment with the project objectives and timeline. The submissions will be reviewed based on innovation, feasibility, and impact potential.
Application Deadline
All proposals must be submitted before 13 November 2025, ensuring adequate time for evaluation, selection, and initiation of the six-month implementation phase by early 2026.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
