From Grassroots to Being Seed Funded - the TIA Adventure
Along the road Chelo has come across challenges it had to overcome; from navigating regulatory requirements, to having limited resources and losing some traction . Nonetheless, today, we are positioned as a technology-driven platform for school development, with a growing number of onboarded schools having active fundraising campaigns supported by partnerships with corporates, donors and institutions
Cheloâs Journey with TIA and the Department of Science and Innovation
The intersection of necessity, vision, and resilience has was always been an innovative cocktail. The Chelo tale, from being an early-stage concept to becoming a funded and growing platform, has been fundamentally shaped by its partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).
The Beginning: A Grassroots Vision
By creating a platform aiming to effectively connect schools, donors, and suppliers, with an end goal to enable fundraising and project delivery based on the principles of visibility, trust, and execution. Chelo's resolute model allowed it to enter the Grassroots Innovation Program under TIA as an early-stage firm.
The Grassroots Program: Building the Foundation
This program, meant for early-stage innovators who are solving real problems within their communities, allowed chelo to:
Test its platform with real schools, as a validation of concept
Get initial support funding
Refine its value proposition, through structured guidance and mentorship
Begin onboarding schools and running early fundraising pilots
Be exposed to the national innovation ecosystem
All of the above led Chelo transitioning from an idea to a platform grounded in implementing real-world needs' solutions.
The Seed Funding
Following its progress, Chelo was selected for support under TIAâs Seed Fund Programme. This transformed chelo from:
Testing to scaling, using larger-scale funding support
Building to optimizing, using Product development resources
Local impact to broader system-level transformation, using commercialization assistance and access to networks and partnerships
Where Chelo is Today
Along the road Chelo has come across challenges it had to overcome; from navigating regulatory requirements, to having limited resources and losing some traction . Nonetheless, today, we are positioned as a technology-driven platform for school development, with a growing number of onboarded schools having active fundraising campaigns supported by partnerships with corporates, donors and institutions.
What's Next?
With the support of TIA and DSI, Chelo is now focused on reaching all schools across South Africa, expanding to other sectors (ECD, Healthcare, etc.), entering regional and international markets and deepening its use of technology in decision-making.
As Chelo continues to grow, it carries with it the foundation built through the Grassroots Programme and the momentum gained through the Seed Fund.
Join us
Whether youâre an alumnus, a donor, a teacher, or simply someone who believes in education â you belong in the Chelo community.
Visit: www.cheloapp.com