TECH4Transition

Innovation Made in Africa

Entrepreneurship plays a key role in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Entrepreneurship enables the development of functional infrastructure, fosters inclusive and sustainable economic development, and is a proven contributor to progressive industrialisation and the promotion of innovation.

This is exactly where TECH4Transition comes in: it supports the African start-up ecosystem through concrete actions in the areas of awareness raising, capacity building and development, and knowledge and technology transfer.

For more information about the project, visit the TECH4Transition website!

What is TECH4Transition?

Strategic partnership and active platform

TECH4Transition acts as a facilitator, mediator and amplifier in the African start-up scene and, together with its partners, as an entry point.

Through close cooperation and collaboration with excellent local partners, a cluster is created that contains enormous technological and infrastructural potential with a large talent pool and increases the visibility of African target markets in local and international competition.

By focusing on the development of technology-based start-ups, a unique network is created at the interface of business, science and research, which has a transnational impact and is built and successively expanded by local and international expertise.

Modular offer

What can you expect from TECH4Transition?

TECH4Transition is a modular offer of the KIT Gründerschmiede. The modules are innovation spaces where the target groups can exchange, network and present their technology-based ideas. In addition, the modules offer participants a mentoring and coaching system with established industry partners.

In the context of the Just Transition theme, the modular structure also promotes skills in systematic thinking and critical questioning, and clarifies the complex connections between the SDGs and sustainable development.

Any questions?

The 4 modules of TECH4Transition

TECHgrow and TECHucate

MODULE: TECHgrow – Building-up the local Innovation Ecosystem

TECHgrow is a two-phase module, with the first phase taking place in the African partner country. Participants take part in a custom-made accelerator leading to a pitch event including a nomination in front of investors. The winners go on a soft landing trip to Germany as part of the second phase.

Target group: Start-ups in the roll-out phase in the market.

MODULE: TECHucate – Entrepreneurship as Career Path & Way of Empowerment

As part of the JES Camp (Joint Entrepreneurship Camp), students and start-ups have the opportunity to work together on projects in an intercultural environment. The TECHucate module allows binational project teams to realise business models of technologies and patents developed at KIT over a period of two weeks. Finally, the business model is presented in a public pitch to an external audience.

Target group: Early-stage students, researchers, start-ups and people interested in founding a company from the academic environment.

The 4 modules of TECH4Transition

TECHxalerate and TECHimpulse

MODULE: TECHxalerate – Impact & Growth – Accelerator for Mature Start-ups

TECHxalerate is a module for selected start-ups in the growth phase. After successful qualification, the teams receive an individual roadmap and service package for the further development of their activities in terms of business model, financing and internationalisation. In addition to its own advisors and formats, the module relies on selected partners.

Target group: Growth Stage; from Series C2

MODULE: TECHimpulse

The TECHimpulse module offers thematically relevant and industry-specific workshops, sessions and keynote speeches. Each focus will be delivered jointly and in coordination with local partners. In particular, the module aims to provide impulses in the fields of women in tech, eco-friendliness and sustainability, team building, leadership skills, recruiting and other company-relevant areas.

For more information about the project, visit the TECH4Transition website!