Building on Gauteng's Innovation Hub will begin in July next year, Neville Comins, CEO of the Innovation Hub, said yesterday.
The hub, a high-technology "enabling" environment that aims to "impact on the economy by increasing the contribution of high-technology knowledge sectors" is the result of a partnership between the Southern Education and Research Alliance and BlueIQ, the Gauteng provincial government's R1.7 billion economic infrastructure development project.
Comins said the Innovation Hub would be located on a portion of a CSIR experimental farm near Pretoria. The final zoning details will be concluded by year-end, with clearance for the site expected by early 2002.
He added that the 14 000 square metre facility would encompass both "incubators" as well as multi-national, high-technology "anchor tenants".
"We are now in the mode of talking to prospective tenants ... with construction to start by July 2002." Initial occupation is expected in the last quarter of 2003.
Comins said that lessons learnt from similar projects in other parts of the world indicated that the physical location of the hub is crucial to its success. Being located next to the CSIR is a significant part of the development, he said, and one that is hoped to foster research and development links.
"We are still competing among ourselves ... and now we need to improve discussion between research and development and the business environment. We need to get the world to treat SA as a development environment.
"This is not just a property development project. We aim to create a unique space where hi-tech entrepreneurs, world-class business, education, research and venture capital will meet, network and prosper."
The Innovation Hub is not a charity and State sponsorship is of limited duration with the R58 million start-up treasury "running out in three years time. The Innovation Hub has to have a business model ... and must survive in its own right."
Comins said there are selection criteria for companies wishing to take occupation in the hub. These included a need for companies to contribute to the economy through research and development. Companies in the areas of mass production and assembly, for example, would not be eligible for inclusion in the hub. "Incubators" would only accept entrepreneurs and businesses with viable business plans and strategies, although Comins noted that "it is not our role to discourage entrepreneurs but rather to create mechanisms for developing business models".
He explained that it is also important that the Innovation Hub is open to new technologies and opportunities. "Being a demonstration zone [for new technology] is key." He added that it would be an aim to make SA a major global 'beta site' through projects such as the Innovation Hub. "Industry can use us as a demonstration platform."
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