The Innovation Hub, an initiative sponsored by Gauteng Provincial Government investment company BlueIQ, yesterday announced its first major success story with the announcement that Grintek has acquired 30% of development start-up Expertron.
Experton`s first product is Cell-ID, a second-level user authentication system for the Internet based on GSM technology.
Grintek chairman Zoli Kunene says the partnership gives Grintek the "opportunity to access new markets through Expertron`s data communications security products, a key specialised area being brought into Grintek`s diverse business".
Expertron founder and director Dr Walter Smuts says the deal "could open future opportunities for joint projects that could enhance synergy between Grintek and Expertron. The deal will also enable Expertron to gain exposure in the marketplace which is often not easy for start-up companies to penetrate."
According to Expertron director Gavin Ehlers, Cell-ID "solves the problem of authenticating large numbers of users from among the public in a practical and cost-effective way". Cell-ID was deployed commercially by service provider MTN in September.
Smuts says Cell-ID is a simple solution that uses an additional password that changes every time the user logs on, instead of using only a secret password.
"As many people carry mobile phones, we have developed an ICT process that enables people to use their phones as a physical token to get such a second step authentication," says Smuts.
"We have made great strides globally through our defence products and we will expand our international venture with other products including those resulting from this partnership," says Kunene.
Expertron was the first company to join the Innovation Hub in September 2000.
The Innovation Hub is part of the BlueIQ investment strategy to develop key areas of infrastructure development for the province. The Innovation Hub, eventually planned to occupy an area adjacent to the CSIR, is in a pilot phase and has six start-up ICT companies already operational on the CSIR campus.
Neville Comins, Innovation Hub CEO, says the re-zoning of the land for the Innovation Hub is nearing completion with the procurement processes for the hub`s infrastructure expected to begin next month.
"Expertron`s success so soon after the Innovation Hub started the implementation of its programmes in pilot mode proves that they are on the right track," says Comins.
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