SBIR call: Funding Opportunities to design and innovate with local materials in Africa

January 31, 2022

Are you interested in innovation and sustainability in a new context? Then this SBIR challenge might be for you. From 14 January until 8 February 2022, the SBIR call is open for innovators and designers in the construction, public space, and health sector.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands invites entrepreneurs, designers, and companies registered in the Netherlands (and EU) to submit smart solutions and alternatives to replace imported materials and reduce ecological footprint and costs. Moreover, innovators who are not yet active internationally are also welcome to submit an idea.

During an SBIR process, you will research and test how your innovation can be made suitable with local partners in African countries: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Kenya, Egypt, Mozambique, Uganda, and South Africa.

This SBIR offers a paid feasibility phase to research your first idea further and find partners.

For more information, here.
View the full text of the SBIR call.

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The themes of this call are:

  • Built environment: design innovations from local materials which are modular, flexible, and improve the living environment of residents
  • Public space and infrastructure: sustainable products for public space and infrastructure made from renewable and circular local materials. It can also include products that improve the quality of life of the outdoor space.
  • Healthcare products: innovations that make products last longer and alternatives to (disposable) items and products used in a hospital environment.

**Closing date expressions of interest: 8 February 2022 at 10.00 CET

Duration

The duration of the assignment is expected to be from April 2022 to November 2024 at the latest. Therefore, it is important that you have the motivation to make your innovation a success and continue when the SBIR financing stops.

Budget

A maximum budget of € 3,900,000 is available (all amounts include VAT).

"The SBIR is a strong instrument to enable small business and start-ups to understand the market they want to operate in, test their technology, understand the customer and have a better product"

SBIR from an entrepreneur’s perspective