Innovation in Gauteng has received a boost through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Innovation Hub and the CSIR in Pretoria.

The Innovation Hub (TIH), Africa’s first accredited Science andTechnology Park,isa subsidiary ofthe Gauteng Growth and Development Agency(GGDA),which is an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.

TIH’s CEO, Mr McLean Sibanda said the partnership between CSIR and TIH will yield many opportunitiesfor technology start-ups companies

“We are providing a home for entrepreneurs, as well as value added services such as mentorship, intellectual property management support, networking, subsidised office space and free connectivity to the entrepreneurs in incubation. We are excited to be joining forces with the CSIR, the leading science park in Africa, to support entrepreneurs and ensure they contribute to the growth of our economy," said Sibanda.

According to Dr Sean Moolman, CSIR’s Group Manager for Licensing and Ventures, the main intention for the MoU is to strengthen collaboration and interaction between CSIR and The Innovation Hub in order to support the Gauteng regional innovation system.

“The location of Innovation Hub was initially selected to form part of a strong regional innovation system, being located between the CSIR and the University of Pretoria. The intention was that these institutions would together be more than the sum of its parts and that the Innovation Hub would be a natural home for technology start-ups from the CSIR and the University of Pretoria. The MoU has been signed in an effort to strengthen the relationship between the CSIR and the Innovation Hub, especially with the Maxum Incubator located at the Innovation Hub,” said Moolman.

The Maxum Business Incubator is TIH’s flagship entrepreneurship programme aimed at accelerating the growth of knowledge-intensive enterprises. The programme comprises a pre-incubation phase, which lasts between 6 to 12 months and allows budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to refine their ideas into viable business cases; as well as a 2-3 year incubation phase.

In terms of the MoU, which is effective for a period of two years, there will be opportunities to incubate CSIR start-up companies at the Maxum Incubator. The CSIR could potentially assist companies incubated at the Maxum Incubator with technology development and infrastructure needs.

The MoU also makes provision for the CSIR Enterprise Creation for Development (ECD) to provide incubation support to Maxum in the form business plan development, feasibility studies and business advisory services.

Media enquiries 
Tendani Tsedu
CSIR Media Relations Manager
Tel: 012841 3417
Cell: 082945 1980
E-mail: mtsedu@csir.co.za

Enquiries for The Innovation Hub 
Linah Nematandani 
The Innovation Hub Communications & Marketing Manager 
Tel:012 844 0030
Cell:076 7179878 
E-mail: lnematandani@theinnovationhub.com,

About CSIR:
The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) is one of the leading R&D, technology and innovation institutions in Africa, with a track record spanning over 65 years. Structured to manage the entire research and innovation value chain, the CSIR strives for excellence in all its endeavours in order to improve the quality of life of South Africa's people and to increase the global competitiveness of South African industry. Visit www.csir.co.za or contact us at 012 841 2000.

About The Innovation Hub 
The Innovation Hub, a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), is Africa’s first internationally accredited Science Park and a full member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP). It is strategically located in Tshwane, South Africa's executive capital in the ‘smart’ province of Gauteng. As the leading knowledge-intensive business cluster in South Africa, The Innovation Hub implements initiatives identified in the Gauteng Innovation Strategy and Green Economy strategy to advance the economic development and growth of the province through innovation. The Innovation Hub has created a unique space for high-tech entrepreneurs, world-class businesses, academics, researchers and venture capitalists to meet, network and prosper.