The establishment of The Innovation Hub as a hi-tech cluster - and the first international accredited Science Park in Africa - has created a gateway for international businesses to access a regional centre for knowledge creation and for local businesses to launch into a world of global interconnectivity.
The Innovation Hub forms part of the multibillion-rand Blue IQ Initiative by the Gauteng Provincial Government to invest in economic infrastructure development.
The overall focus is on smart industries, high value-added manufacturing and tourism, to establish Gauteng as a truly 'smart' province.
The Innovation Hub's unique 60ha site in Gauteng, has recently been opened by Mbhazima Shilowa, Premier of the Gauteng Province. Superb architecture, world-class infrastructure, outstanding business support facilities, a secure environment and excellent lifestyle amenities in an environment that supports dynamic social interaction and the cross-fertilisation and exploration of new ideas.
Value-added services include:
* Integrated, state-of-the-art, fully convergent VOIP communication system, a fibre-optic data backbone and Internet connectivity
* Structured access to business support packages for all sizes of companies
* Business incubation services
* Membership of a knowledge-intensive network
* On-site access to the University of Pretoria information services
The Business Incubator in the Innovation Centre comprises a highly flexible environment with group rooms, shared reception areas, pause areas and meeting rooms, designed to encourage the growth of new businesses. Secretarial and other support services are provided. Leases are short-term, from two months to three years.
The CoachLab in the Innovation Centre is a specialist mentorship programme that fast-tracks the development of world-class human capital for SA in the knowledge industries. Each CoachLab is a partnership between The Innovation Hub and partners from industry and tertiary education. It runs alongside that of the business incubator, to encourage interaction between students and entrepreneurs.
The Innovation Hub Management Company (Pty) Ltd is the key management vehicle for The Innovation Hub, with a long-term strategic role to take responsibility for the implementation of the core infrastructure and value-adding business activities.
Blue IQ Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, on behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, is the sole shareholder with an investment of over R318 million in infrastructure development for The Innovation Hub.
The Innovation Hub has been identified as a strategic project of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in support of Tshwane's vision for a smart city. Partnerships and alliances have been initiated with inter alia, AfricaBio, BioPad, the Cape IT Initiative, the Innovation Fund, Technology Top 100, the GODISA incubators and the Savant programme. Strategic relationships with universities and research institutions are also in place, including the University of Pretoria, the Tshwane University of Technology and the CSIR, to create links with tenant companies and stimulate spinout activities.
The Innovation Hub is a full member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) and the Business Incubator is a member of the National Business Incubator Association (NBIA) in the UK and a founder member of the South African Business and Technology Incubation Association (SABTIA).
Congratulations to Dr Neville Comins, CEO, The Innovation Hub Management Company, and his team on their achievements so far. Well done!
http://www.theinnovationhub.com/
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