Mexico and South Africa Innovator Challenge closing soon

The Innovator Challenge to South Africa and Mexico closes soon – with up to eight SMEs to be selected by Energy Launchpad Internationa for support to enter each market.

This builds on the success of the Energy Launchpad International pilot (2020-2021) in Thailand and India.

The SMEs chosen will receive incubation support services to help export their innovations and inclusion in virtual missions to Mexico and South Africa.

Both calls are focused around the innovation theme of embedded generation and storage – to more broadly realise the social and economic benefits of a zero-carbon distributed energy network to the environment.

The Challenge

Energy Launchpad Internationa works closely with innovators to build their capacity to export. Whilst the UK ranks high globally for innovation, this is not matched by export success. Innovators often lack the resources to create full export strategies, and our research shows the two most common things they lack are in-country contacts and market understanding.

Both South Africa and Mexico currently depend strongly on fossil fuels and at national level it is hard to see how UK innovators might have an impact.

However, though discussions with our in-country partners we have found opportunities for real impact and potential business collaborations at local level. Whether you are interested in helping rural landowners in Mexico diversify their incomes and reduce reliance on diesel generation or you have solutions to offer South African municipalities as they seek stability from rolling blackouts, we can’t wait to hear from you.

UK innovators need support navigating the South African and Mexican markets because they operate differently and there are unique barriers. UK firms will need to build trusting relationships with local partners in addition to demonstrating a strong product or service. Energy Systems Catapult will support SMEs with unique smart energy business model expertise and strong overseas networks to create soft landings for UK innovators in overseas markets.

Both calls are focused around the innovation theme of embedded generation and storage – to more broadly realise the social and economic benefits of a zero-carbon distributed energy network to the environment. We are also looking for digital solutions that help maximise economies of small-scale embedded generation and storage.

This Challenge Call closes Thursday 6^th January. Please apply using our online form or get in touch with our Energy launchpad International team to discuss how you can get involved.

Successful applicants must be available for an onboarding event, marking the start of the programme they will be supported through, on the following date:

• Mexico – Monday 10^th January at 3pm
• South Africa – Monday 10^th January at 12pm

Successful applicants to the calls will be notified on Friday 7^th January.