FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of BIF?
Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub is mandated to coordinate the establishment of a functional and integrated national innovation ecosystem. Key to this, is the creation of Innovation Fund that promotes innovation through provision of seed funding to innovative projects.
In addition, the Innovation Fund serves to encourage companies awarded funding to transfer skills to citizen employees by providing cash grants to be utilized for institutional training and on the job training programmes.
What is the Governance Structure of BIF?
The Minister (MoTE) has appointed the Botswana Innovation Fund (BIF) Committee members to have oversight on implementation of the fund.
The Committee consists of independent members of the public from Private Sector and the business community. The Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub (Secretariat) has established a Fund Administration Office and will act as the secretariat for the fund.
Who is Eligible for Funding?
The Fund provides funding to Private Sector companies that are domiciled in Botswana. All recipients of the Fund are automatically accepted as BDIH members to be in alignment with the Fund Order.
What can be funded?
The Fund provides for costs that are directly related to the development of a new product, process or new technical services which surpass existing products, processes or technical services in terms of their functions, parameters or features. Refer to Eligible and Non-Eligible Costs in the Botswana Innovation Fund Guidelines.
What are the various Technology Readiness Levels (TRL’s)
Technology readiness levels are levels on a scale that can be used for estimating the maturity of a given technology. There are nine levels, which each represent a state in the development of technology, from the first thoughts to the final technology.
TRL 1: Basic principles observed
Identification of new concept and its integration, expected barriers, and applications.
Identification of materials and technologies based on theory.
Evaluation of potential benefits of the new concept over existing ones.
TRL 2: Technology concept formulated
Enhanced knowledge on technologies, materials, and interfaces.
New concept is investigated and refined.
First evaluation about the feasibility.
Initial numerical knowledge.
Qualitative description of interactions between technologies.
Prototyping approach and preliminary technical specifications for laboratory test are defined.
TRL 3: Experimental proof of concept
First laboratory scale prototype or numerical model.
Laboratory tests of the technological element, but not the whole integrated system.
Identification of key parameters characterising the technology.
Verification of the proof of concept through simulation tools and cross-validation with literature data (if applicable).
TRL 4: Technology validated in lab
Small-scale prototype integrated with complementing subsystems at laboratory level.
Validation of the new technology through enhanced numerical analysis (if applicable).
Measurable Key Performance Indicators.
Prototype shows stable performance (either TRL4 or TRL5, depending on the technology)
TRL 5: Technology validated in relevant environment
Large scale prototype integrated with components of supporting elements and auxiliaries.
Robustness is proven in relevant working environment.
Prototype shows stable performance (either TRL4 or TRL5, de- pending on the technology).
The process is reliable, and performances live up to expectations (either TRL5 or TRL6, depending on the technology).
Other parameters concerning scale-up, environmental, regulatory, and socio-economic issues are defined and qualitatively assessed.
TRL 6: Technology pilot demonstrated in relevant environment
Demonstration of the technology is fine-tuned to a variety of operating conditions in relevant environment.
The process is reliable, and the performances live up to the expectations (either TRL5 or TRL6, depending on the technology).
Demonstration of interoperability with other connected technologies.
Manufacturing approach is defined (either TRL6 or TRL7, depending on the technology).
Environmental, regulatory, and socio-economic issues are addressed.
TRL 7: System prototype demonstration in operational environment
Full scale pre-commercial system is demonstrated in operational environment.
Compliancy with relevant environment conditions, authorisation issues, local/national standards is guaranteed.
Integration of upstream and downstream technologies are verified and validated.
Manufacturing approach is defined (either TRL6 or TRL7, depending on the technology).
TRL 8: System complete and qualified
Technology has been experimented in deployment conditions and proven its functioning in its final form.
Manufacturing process is stable enough for a low-rate production.
Training and maintenance documentation are completed.
Integration at system level is completed.
Full compliance with obligations, certifications, and standards of the addressed markets.
TRL 9: System proven in operational environment
Technology proven fully operational and ready to be commercialised.
Full production chain is in place and all materials are available.
System optimised for full rate production.
What are some of the focus areas that are funded?
Mining Technologies – The mining technology is focused on facilitating joint research and development in mining and related technologies focusing on technology providers as well as business development in exploration, geology, mining, ore processing and mineral beneficiation technologies. Key Projects include, value adding solutions in the sector are technology enablers which effectively address productions costs, safety, efficiency and innovative processes.
Clean Technologies –The sector focusses on catalysing activities relating to Clean Technologies; renewable energy and environmental research; development and commercial activities within those areas. It emphasises environmental sustainability, renewable energy, cleaner coal, water conservation and waste management (water and energy).
Agricultural and Health Technologies (Biotechnology) – The sector focuses on catalysing more commercial business in the areas of Agriculture and Health. Opportunities include support towards new products development, testing and manufacturing with special emphasis on addressing cross cutting issues of food Security and Health. Key projects include but not limited to new food and nutrition products, additives, supplements, and snacks
Information and Communications technologies (ICT) – A unique platform that enables ICT growth through research and development, ICT development and commercial business activities. Activities in ICT like software development, voice and data networks, business process automation, applications development for transport, finance, business. Targeted solutions in the manufacturing, transport, fintech, Agribusiness among others. The solutions must be aligned to the national clusters of the economy, e.g. finance and Knowledge Intensive Business Systems (Finance and Knowledge Intensive Business Systems), Agriculture/Beef, Tourism, Manufacturing and Services. These may demonstrate technology uptake through relevant and available technologies, including the use of big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and Internet of Things (IoT).
Indigenous Knowledge Systems (Alternative medicine and supplementary nutrition products based on local plant and animal material, including medicinal solutions) targeted solutions and products based on inclusive innovation processes supporting grassroots innovations.
Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS) – The Focus of value-added business services including consultancies, providing specialised solutions. Targeting specialised services that enable the above solutions e.g. project management processes.
How do I submit an application?
All applicants should complete an application form on the Jot Form Portal. Applications will not be received by hand or email.
How many applications can a company submit?
– A company may only have 1 (one) active project with BIF at a time.
– A company may submit only 1 (one) application at a time.
Can I re-submit an improved application following an unsuccessful one?
Yes. Once you are in receipt of an unsuccessful application letter and feedback you may submit an application if the feedback offered gave room for a resubmission.
How much can my project be funded for?
The Fund currently has no limit per project. Funds will only be provided for eligible costs.
Against What Criteria will the application be evaluated?
The following are Required:
– Market Need
– Value Proposition (a clear path towards operationalizing the product on-the-ground)
– Team Composition and Roles
– Customer Validation
– Clear Revenue Streams
– Alignment with Key Govt Objective/National Need
– Social Impact Identify a specific problem/challenge statement or need
– Articulation of proposed solution and approach
The following are Preferred:
– Projects that present a clear strategy for bridging the gap between innovation and the end users, including through productive approaches and end-user consultations
– Involvement of research or other partners in Botswana
– New partnerships to develop cross sectoral and collaborative teams (including members from the public, private, NGO and academic sectors)
– Encouraging training and capacity development
– Development of open access data, products, tools and approaches
– Open source technological solutions that are simple and replicable are encouraged
– Ability to leverage other projects and investment to deliver greater impact
Who Evaluates the Applications?
A BDIH team checks the applications for Compliance before allocating them to an Independent team of experts from industry and academia that are approved by the Botswana Innovation Fund Committee.
What else is funded?
The following cash grants are available to augment product or process development:
(i) institutionalised training, and/or
(ii) approved on the job training programmes.
How do I access the Funds?
The Funds are accessed through a prepaid milestone-based approach. Milestones are audited before further disbursements are made.
If a company has been funded before, can they apply for this grant?
A company that has completed its previously funded project and has reached the objectives for the said project is eligible to apply for Funding.
When is the deadline?
The Fund has two processes for obtaining applications:
1. Calls for Proposals: Deadlines will be as indicated on the respective call
2. There are no deadlines. This is a Rolling basis application approach meaning that the Fund accepts applications continuously.
Do the funds granted have to be paid back?
The Fund offers a Conditional Grant. The following conditions apply in respect of the conditional grant:
1. If the project is successfully developed and commercialised, the recipient is required to pay a nominal amount to the Fund, not exceeding 50% over an agreed period that will not impede the growth of the business.
2. If the project is successfully developed, and the recipient has discharged all their obligations in respect of the Project as agreed in the Grant Agreement, but the project is not successfully commercialised; the Recipient is not required to repay the nominal fee.
3. If the recipient has not discharged all their obligations in respect of the Project as agreed in the Grant Agreement, and the project is not successfully commercialised; the Recipient is required to repay a portion of the grant.
What is the Turn Around Time for Applications:
Whilst the turnaround times may slightly differ, the guidance below is indicative of the process and related turnaround times:
Applications Submitted –> Call Closure (For Call for Proposals Only) –> Internal Compliance Checks (1-3 weeks) –> Evaluation of Applications (6 weeks) –> BIF Commitee Sanction Process (6 weeks)