The 2019 South African Earth Observation Open Innovation Challenge is now receiving entries. In partnership with MAXAR, Unicorn, Minerals Council South Africa, and RIIS, this year’s challenge is focused on finding ideas that assist in advancing the societal and commercial competitiveness of the South African mining industry, while considering the improvement of its environmental impact.

The winning team will receive R100,000 (about USD 6,800) grant funding to develop innovation or further research; access to pitching for possible seed investment ranging from USD 50k – USD 5million; as well as access to unique multi-spectrum satellite imagery databases. Click here are some past submissions to look at for inspiration.

This is the fifth such earth observation challenge held in SA since 2015. The purpose of these challenges was to drive entrepreneurial activity in the country and promote awareness of the value of earth observation to a broader community for applications.

Click here to submit an application. Submission closes on 30th October and finalists will be announced on 10 November. The pitching event will hold on 14 November while the winner will be announced on 15 December.