Develop a project
For project sponsors, entrepreneurs and industry
Work with us to define, structure and prepare a project so it is ready to discuss with funders and investors.
Discuss a project ↗WORK WITH CIMP
Progress takes
partnership.
Complex challenges call for connected expertise. We bring government, industry, researchers, investors and entrepreneurs together to turn South African priorities into practical opportunities, from research ventures and investment-ready projects to joint initiatives that no single organisation could deliver alone.
Explore ways to work with us ↘HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER
Find your way in.
We connect people and institutions around shared South African priorities. Explore the entry point that fits your work.
Raise growth capital
For start-ups and established businesses
Explore equity through one of our six investment pathways, matched to your stage, risk profile and investment objective.
Explore Equity ↗Invest or co-invest
For investors and development finance institutions
Join us in opening opportunities that fit the investment pathways, or co-invest alongside partners in projects with potential to deliver lasting value.
View partnership calls ↗Collaborate on research
For universities, research institutes and think tanks
Work with us on economic research, policy insight and evidence-led responses to the challenges shaping South Africa, and on moving research findings toward commercialisation.
Discuss research ↗Partner on public priorities
For government departments and agencies
Build a strategic relationship around a shared priority, from evidence and policy insight to convenings and longer-term initiatives.
Discuss a partnership ↗Share your expertise
For researchers, practitioners and institutions
Contribute your perspective and experience to informed debate, convenings and shared priorities.
Get in touch ↗See Before You Enquire for more on how opportunities are assessed.
WHO WE WORK WITH
Different partners,
one shared purpose.
Complex issues take many perspectives. CIMP works with the people and institutions that can make progress on South African priorities, and each brings something different to the table.
Project sponsors and entrepreneurs
What you bringA project, a business or an idea with potential.
What you can gainExpert support to define, structure and prepare your project, and a route into the investment pathways where it is ready.
Start-ups and established businesses
What you bringAmbition and the capacity to scale, from early traction to a revenue-generating business.
What you can gainAn opportunity to explore equity through the investment pathway that matches your stage and risk profile, with reach into underserved markets where it applies.
Investors and development finance institutions
What you bringCapital and an appetite for long-term value.
What you can gainAccess to opportunities prepared through Project Development and assessed with partners, and a chance to co-invest alongside others.
Researchers, universities and research institutes
What you bringEvidence, methods and new ideas.
What you can gainA route from research toward application, including commercialisation, and partners in industry and government who can put findings to use.
Government departments and agencies
What you bringPublic priorities and the mandate to act on them.
What you can gainEconomic research and policy insight, informed debate with industry and researchers, and partners for longer-term initiatives.
Industry and business bodies
What you bringSector knowledge and a view of what is happening in markets and value chains.
What you can gainEvidence on the forces shaping your sector, and a place to work with government and researchers on shared challenges.
Practitioners and institutions
What you bringExperience from the field.
What you can gainA platform to contribute your perspective to shared priorities and to learn from others working on the same problems.
HOW A PARTNERSHIP WORKS
From first conversation
to shared results.
Every partnership is different, but the path follows the same four steps as our impact cycle. That keeps goals, evidence and learning connected from the start.
Understand the opportunity
We talk about what you are working on, what you want to achieve and who else is involved. Together with the relevant partners, we consider whether and how we can work together.
Cycle linkDefine — agree on outcomesSet a shared direction
We agree what change the work is meant to achieve, who should benefit, what each partner will contribute and how progress will be judged. Where support involves capital or a project, we confirm the right route, which may include one of the investment pathways.
Cycle linkDefine — agree on outcomesDo the work, follow the evidence
Partners carry out the agreed work, whether that is research, project preparation, an investment or a convening. We gather evidence at appropriate points, using indicators suited to the initiative.
Cycle linkTrack — follow the evidenceReport and improve
We look at what changed, what didn't and why, and share what can be shared. The lessons shape the next round, whether that is the next phase of the partnership or a new initiative.
Cycle linkLearn and Share — assess what changed, then report and improveCOLLABORATION IN ACTION
Different perspectives.
Shared ambition.
Complex issues rarely sit within one discipline or one organisation. CIMP creates space for evidence, capital and expertise to meet, so that research ideas become ventures, projects become investable and partners find common ground.
Whether you are developing a research idea, growing a business or exploring a strategic collaboration with industry or government, start a conversation with us.
Start a conversation →NOTICES
Find an opportunity
to get involved.
See our current partnership calls and procurement notices, learn about careers and fellowships, or start a conversation about a collaboration.