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The Innovation Hub

“home of the hi-tech entrepreneur”

SATNAC 2003

Jill SawersManager: Incubation

The Innovation Hub Management Company (Pty) Ltd

02 September 2003 2

Presentation

• Importance of SMEs to economy• The Innovation Hub context and concept• Incubation as a supportive environment for start-

ups

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02 September 2003 3

Contribution by entrepreneurs to the economy

“Graduate entrepreneurs grow new initiatives four to five times more quickly than established businesses”

“95% of all radical innovations created since WWII were developed by small entrepreneurial firms.”

Sunday Times 4/8/02

02 September 2003 4

SMEs contribution to SA economy

• 8/10 new jobs created are in small business sector

• 5-6 are lost in same year• SMME = 35% of SA GDP

– Small = 13,9%– Micro = 5,9%

Prof Peter Karungu, Wits

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02 September 2003 5

Challenges facing SA SMEsas perceived by 12 US Venture Capitalists, April 2002

• SA entrepreneurs talented and creative, but naïve• Focus on technologies rather than customer needs• Target local rather than global opportunities• IP must be globally protected• Weak business strategies and lack of local funding• Low internet access speeds and high costs in SA

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The Entrepreneur’s Perspective• A professional presence

– in the shortest time – and with a minimum of capital

• A supportive environment

- Office infrastructure– The company of other entrepreneurs– Coaching by experts

• Access to networks– Funding sources– Professional services– The market

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02 September 2003 7

Creating the enabling environment

– CITI’s Bandwidth Barn– Technikon Free State Science Park– Godisa – DTI Incubators – The Innovation Hub

02 September 2003 8

The Innovation HubBlue IQ

Pretoria

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02 September 2003 9

A Science Park stimulates and manages the flow ofknowledge and technology amongst universities, R&D institutions, companies and markets; it facilitates the creation and growth of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off processes; and provides other value-added services together with high quality space and facilities.

IASP Definition April 2002

Science Parks

BLUE IQ - A PLAN OF ACTIONBLUE IQ - A PLAN OF ACTION

Blue IQ is a R3,5 billion initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government to invest in 11 mega-projects, which will enhance the

province’s strengths in the areas of tourism, smart industries and value-added manufacturing

Blue IQ is a R3,5 billion initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government to invest in 11 mega-projects, which will enhance the

province’s strengths in the areas of tourism, smart industries and value-added manufacturing

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CSIR

UPCBD

North

JHB and Int. AirportN1/R21

The Innovation Hub

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02 September 2003 13

Tenancy Opportunities(Must comply with entry criteria)

• Anchor tenants in owner-built buildings• Multi-tenant buildings for established:

– Small and medium-sized Enterprises– Graduating companies from the Incubators

• ‘Start-ups & spin-outs’ in Incubator• Support services and suppliers

02 September 2003 14

Targeted Economic Sectors• Information and Communications Technology• Biotechnology• Electronics• Advanced materials and manufacturing • Defense spin-off technologies

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The Innovation Hub

Core Innovation Hub Buildings and Super Basement (Phase 1)

14000 m2

The Innovation Centre and Multi-tenant Buildings

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The Innovation Centre (Southern Facade)

Multi-Tenant Building (Eastern Facade)

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The Innovation Centre (Western Façade)

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Invention to com m ercialisation i.t.o. tenant category

Anchor tenant

Idea

Pre-Incubation

Incubation

Associate Com panies

Graduat ion

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Benefits for Incubatees• Access to facilities:

– Secretary; LAN; e-mail; Copier/Fax; Telephone/Receptionist; Resource Centre

• Advice: – Strategic Planning; Marketing strategy; Human

Resources; Finances• Access to markets• Access to sources of funding (governmental schemes;

VC; etc)

02 September 2003 22

Incubator tenants•Expertron (Pty) Ltd (ICT security systems, and

mobile solutions)

•Spline (Pty) Ltd (systems engineering and embedded systems)

•Naledi 3D Factory (Pty) Ltd (virtual reality)

•Kgatelopele Technologies CC (custom software solutions)

•TCI-Thoreb (Pty) Ltd (real-time information systems for transportation)

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02 September 2003 23

Where are we now?

– Pre-incubation (2 in pilot)– Incubation (5 in pilot)– Associates (5 in pilot)– Infrastructure (end 2003)– Occupation (end 2004)

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Interested?

www.theinnovationhub.comE-mail: jsawers@theinnovationhub.com