The Innovation Hub's Incubator already has success stories where people with bright ideas have received business development support. Part of The Innovation Hub's brief is to encourage those in the ICTE sector to develop their ideas into viable businesses.
As CEO Neville Comins says: "When an innovative ICTE idea is ready to grow into a viable business, the originators already have a network and can then simply move to offices next door, on the same campus and in the same community network."
Expertron Group, the developer of Cell-ID, a second-level user authentication system for the Internet based on GSM technology, was The Innovation Hub's first major success story. Since joining the Hub, the first science park of its kind in southern Africa, the company has made notable achievements.
In May 2002, in a deal facilitated by the Innovation Hub, it formed a partnership with Grintek, a major player in the local and international defence, electronics and telecommunication industries.
"One of the important advantages of being part of The Innovation Hub is being in close proximity to other entrepreneurs. Learning from their experience and sharing ideas with like-minded people who are facing similar challenges has been of great benefit to us," say Expertron founding members Dr Walter Smuts and Gavin Ehlers.
Also in 2002, Expetron appointed SecureData, a member of the JSE-listed ERP.com group as the sole distributor of Cell-ID in sub-Saharan Africa. It launched a second product, Cell-ID Version 2.0 later the same year.
With the support of Innovation Hub networks and infrastructure, the company continues to develop and design innovative systems and products that provide real business solutions through its small team of highly trained development engineers.
For further information on the Innovation Hub and incubation, click onto http://www.theinnovationhub.com.
Share
Editorial contacts