Application DIT

DIT Founder Application Form

Hello, 👋🏾 and welcome to the Darkies in Tech (DIT) application form! We’re so excited that you’re interested in joining our community! 🎊

First Name: *

Do not enter an alias, please use your real name.

Surname: *

Company Email Address: *

Applicants with professional email domains will be strongly preferred.

Personal Email Address: *

We understand that domains sometimes go down. Please enter an alternative email that we can contact you on when that happens.

Phone Number: *

Please make sure you enter your country code.

Gender: *

We will only use and report on this data in aggregate form.

In which Province do you live? *

In which Country do you live?

Only answer this question, if you specified "Outside of SA" in the previous question.

What is your date of birth? *

LinkedIn Profile URL: *

Founder Details

# of years in the SA tech ecosystem: *

Please round up to the nearest year. E.g. 2.4 = 3.

What # venture is this for you? *

Are you technical? *

Our definition of technical means you write code.

To what extent are you involved in your venture? *

Venture Details

We understand that sharing sensitive details about your startup can feel a bit uncomfortable. Rest assured, this information is essential beyond helping us make an admissions decision. If we admit you into the community, it enables us to connect you with potential funding opportunities, match you with other founders in the community, and track our collective impact. This is key to raising resources that support and grow our community, so we truly appreciate your openness and trust.

Venture Name: *

How many years have you been working on this venture? *

Round up to the nearest year. E.g. 0.4 = 1

Is the venture incorporated? *

Where is your company incorporated?

If you've registered multiple companies, please list all the countries you're registered in.

Venture Website URL: *

Not having a company website will count against your application. However, you can share a link a link to your pitch deck or company profile.

Venture Stage: *

Venture Sector: *

Select the more appropriate option.

What problem are you solving? *

Describe the problem succinctly. E.g We solve the issue of over-crowding in urban cities.

What is your solution? *

Describe your solution in one sentence. E.g. We provide a tech platform that connects migrants with communes looking to fill their rooms.

Who are your primary target customers? *

Select the one the most validated option

What breakthrough tech does your solution use? *

Select all the options that apply to you.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Machine Learning

Gen AI

AR/VR/XR

Blockchain

Renewable Energy

Additive Manufacturing (E.g. 3D Printing)

Quantum Computing

None of the above

What is your business model? *

Select all the options that apply to you. Please note that we do not admit professional services companies only high-growth product businesses.

Online Marketplace (E.g. Takealot)

Software as a service (E.g. Calendly)

Ads &/or Affiliate Marketing (E.g. Facebook)

White-Labelling/Licensing (E.g. Hey Jude)

On-demand/Gig Economy (E.g. Uber)

Transaction Fees (E.g. Yoco)

Other

How many co-founders do you have in your venture? *

Only include the operators with a significant equity stake in your venture, excluding yourself.

How many people does your venture employ full & part time? *

Please exclude the co-founders of the venture. We need this data to report on our members' collective employment impact.

How much funding have your raised to date? *

Please specify your number in Rands. If you haven't raised answer 0.

What sources have you raised funding from? *

Select all the options that apply to you.

Friends and Family

Startup Competition Grant

Government Grant

Angel Investor (High-Network Individual)

Accelerators

Venture Capital

Private Equity

None of the above.

How much do you plan to raise in the next 12 months *

Please specify your number in Rands. If you don't plan to raise, answer 0.

What type of funding are you looking to raise? *

Select all the options that apply to you.

Equity

Debt / Convertible Loans

SAFEs

Grants

None

What is your venture's most significant milestone? *

What is your venture's biggest challenge right now? *

Is your venture at least 51% Black-owned? *

Is your venture at least 51% Female owned? *

What is your venture's BBBEE recognition level? *

Specify your answer as a percentage E.g. 135%

Motivations & Community Engagement

What are your reasons for wanting to join DIT? *

Select the 3 top reasons

Access to Knowledge

Access to Funding

Access to Networks/Partnerships

Access to Partners

Access to Community

Access to Talent

Access to Mentorship

Are you willing to host a masterclass on any topic? *

How did you hear about DIT? *

Full name of the DIT member that referred you:

Only answer this question, if you selected "Referral from a DIT member" in the previous question.

Are any of your co-founders already a paid DIT member? *

Full name of your co-founder:

Only answer this question, if you answered "Yes" to the previous question.