Technological innovation is a source of new products, processes and industries, and plays an important role in sustaining a nation's competitiveness.
A nation's ability to innovate is paramount to its success and survival among other nations. According to the World Economic Forum's (WEF's) 2011 Global Competitiveness Index: “South Africa climbed four places to 50th out of 142 countries... claiming top spot for regulation of exchanges and second place for soundness of banks.”
The 2011 Global Innovation Index, however, indicates: “South Africa has dropped 16 places since 2009, from 43rd to rank 59th, in terms of innovativeness.”
The decline in innovativeness is despite an increase in R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP. Whereas there has been an increase in R&D expenditure, what is apparent is that this has not yet translated into relevant innovations. Government has put in place R&D tax to incentivise industry to invest in innovation.
Is our investment in innovation focused on industry needs? How do we capitalise on the increased R&D investments and turn the research outcomes into innovations that give South Africa competitiveness and provide sustainable growth? How do we create a dynamic innovation ecosystem that empowers small business and entrepreneurs to play a crucial role in innovating new technologies and commercialising them?
What is the role of the science parks and innovations agencies in creating a dynamic innovation ecosystem?
What support systems should we be developing to bolster the chances of these small businesses and entrepreneurs surviving long enough to create a truly dynamic innovation ecosystem?
Is commercialisation of technological innovation a thicket or a pathway?
Join The Innovation Hub as it explores answers to these questions, with an expert panel that includes successful small business and entrepreneurs who will tell their commercialisation journey stories.
The Innovation Hub is South Africa's first internationally accredited science and technology park with the mandate to promote the socio-economic development and competitiveness of Gauteng through innovation.
It invites you to an expert panel discussion: “Commercialisation - thicket or pathway?” an evening moderated by The Innovation Hub CEO, McLean Sibanda.
The expert panel includes:
Prof Ander Buys - University of Pretoria Institute for Technological Innovation
Dr Oliver Priesig - Entrepreneur and founder of Ingaba Biotech
Atul Padalkar - Founder of Bizfarm Incubator
Kobus Meiring - Entrepreneur and founder of Optimal Energy, South Africa's first battery vehicle
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