Foundry

Accelerating Africa’s deep-tech and hardware startups with hands-on support, funding, and industry partnerships to drive innovation and market success.

A new validation programme for South African ventures building hardware and deep tech. Around ten ventures will spend one to three months with the Savant Foundry team proving their market. The Investment Committee then funds the strongest with Pre-Seed or Seed investment of up to R900 000 through the Savant TIA Pre-Seed and Seed Fund, run with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).

What you leave with

Customer validation with target buyers · A business model and route to first revenue · An independent technical viability assessment · An investor-ready data room · A project plan for the investment that follows

Who should apply

Founders, SMMEs and research teams building hardware or deep tech in South Africa, with technology at TRL 3 and upwards. University technology transfer offices and science councils holding IP are welcome too.

How it works

Initial screening: a five-minute form
Full application for shortlisted ventures
Conditional approval by the Investment Committee
EMERGE360° validation, starting early 2027
Investment decision based on the evidence you produce

Initial screening closes Sunday 8 November 2026 at 23:59.

Savant Foundry accelerates deep-tech and hardware startups in Africa, bridging innovation and market adoption. We offer hands-on support, structured funding, expert mentorship, and industry partnerships to help startups scale. By collaborating with academia, investors, and corporates, we tackle challenges like long development cycles and capital-intensive scaling, driving industrialization, job creation, and global competitiveness.

Savant Foundry provides hands-on support, offering guidance, connections, and funding to help deep-tech and hardware startups scale and bring innovations to market.

Custom pathways designed to meet the unique needs and goals of each startup.

Industry & Manufacturing Access

Funding & Investment Support

Deep-Tech Expertise

Supportive Ecosystem

Who We Work With

At Savant Foundry, we partner with entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and ecosystem enablers to turn deep-tech ideas into real-world solutions. We guide startups through commercialisation, connect them to funding, and support pilot projects with industry partners. We also work with academia, research councils, and policymakers to create an environment where innovation can grow and succeed. Together, we turn bold ideas into real-world impact.

How We Help Startups Succeed

At Savant Foundry, we focus on three key areas to accelerate deep-tech commercialisation:

Validation

Build what matters

We help founders deeply understand their users, define real problems, and test early – so every product decision is backed by real-world insight.

Funding

De-risk to raise

Through structured support and early traction, we help startups become investment-ready – attracting the right pre-seed capital at the right time.

Execution

From idea to market access

We support startups in translating validated concepts into working MVPs, business models, and go-to-market strategies that stick.

How Foundry Works

Needs Assessment & Customised Roadmap

A detailed assessment is conducted to understand each startup’s technology readiness, market potential, and key challenges. This analysis informs a bespoke commercialisation roadmap, ensuring a clear path from prototype to first consumer.

Hands-On Venture Execution

Deep engagement with startups ensures they receive practical, execution-driven support in areas such as:

Business model development and market validation.
Intellectual property (IP) and regulatory strategy.
Prototyping, manufacturing, and supply chain access.

Investment Readiness & Funding Access

We focus on funding strategy and investor engagement to help startups secure the right capital at the right time:

Investor readiness training to sharpen pitches and financials.
Connections to angels, VCs, and institutional funders.
Access to grants and non-dilutive funding for scaling tech.

Industry Integration & Market Expansion

Scaling deep-tech startups takes strong industry ties and market traction. We support this through:

Pilot projects and proof-of-concept validation with corporates.
Go-to-market strategies and customer acquisition support.
Global partnerships for access to international markets.

Ecosystem Engagement & Policy Support

A thriving deep-tech sector needs the right environment. We collaborate with academia, policymakers, and industry to:

Help startups navigate regulatory frameworks.
Advocate for supportive policies and funding.
Strengthen the innovation ecosystem for long-term impact.