South African Media Innovation Program (SAMIP) Innovation Challenge 2017

South African Media Innovation Program (SAMIP) is looking for innovative South African projects and organisations for the SAMIP Innovation Challenge.

Application Deadline: 31st October 2017

Eligible Countries: South Africa

To Be Taken At (Country): South Africa

About the Award: The SAMIP Innovation Challenge is for South African projects and organisations that are building news and information products that engage and inform local/underserved communities, by:

• searching for new ways to connect people with information,
• exploring new business models, distribution mechanisms and/or revenue generation opportunities, or
• creating platforms within existing news outlets for citizen reporting through mobile technology

Type: Entrepreneurship

Eligibility: 

• new projects just getting off the ground, for which the applicant has initial evidence of a user need.
• specific and actionable ideas for a novel product or service – product or working demo doesn’t necessarily have to be built yet – funding can be used for MVP. (Capability requirement)
• products or services that have shown initial success/viability, and applicants are looking to scale up

Selection Criteria: Projects should address one or more of the following focus areas:

• Digital Native Products: New approaches to collecting news and information, and to reporting, storytelling and distribution that embrace the possibilities of technology
• Reaching rural communities: Innovative approaches to reach and empower people outside of major urban areas, and those generally underserved by existing news media.
• Engaging people in official languages that are underserved: Attempts to engage and distribute content to communities in vernacular languages that are underserved.
• Technology innovation for distribution: New media technology for local news that can find ways to distribute all forms of media in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
• New Revenue opportunities: Innovative solutions to revenue challenges that media companies face – how can we open up new revenue streams to make media organisations more sustainable and independent.
• Transition to digital: Finding and implementing solutions, products or processes that assist legacy media to transform their businesses.

Number of Awards: About 5

Value of Award: 

• A total of ZAR 3 million of grant funding is available to support independent media (covering existing companies, non-profits, and new ventures) in South Africa.
• This is the initial disbursement of the total funding available through SAMIP – the South Africa Media Innovation Program.
• SAMIP is a 3-year long program that will provide capacity building and financing to independent media in South Africa.
• The aim of the program is to promote innovation within the media sector, and also foster new voices.
• Winners will be selected by the SAMIP Advisory Panel, subject to approval by the MDIF Board of Directors.
• Cash Prize: Up to ZAR 500,000 (*depending on budgets, we will consider smaller projects that apply)
• In addition, winners will be admitted to SAMIP and benefit from capacity building:
  • on-going strategic advice, (expert advice)
  • tailored one-to-one consulting, (mentorship)
  • targeted group training designed to help participants’ financial viability and audience reach (training)
  • further funding, if approved by Advisory Panel, based on favourable initial results

Duration of Program: 3 Years

How to Apply: Apply now

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: South African Media Innovation Program (SAMIP)