Pretoria- Tuesday, 06 February 2024- The South African economy is in dire need of innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to help overcome its current economic challenges. The issue of unemployment casts a sombre shadow, and it demands our collective attention. One of the paths to escape this predicament is through the accelerated creation of job opportunities.
While numerous calls for government intervention in job creation exist, the nation also looks to its entrepreneurs to step forward and lead in enterprise development. The government has committed to supporting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to nurture and expand their businesses, and this is the core mission of the Gauteng Accelerator Programme (GAP) Innovation Competition.
The Competition also presents an opportunity to celebrate those who are daring with innovative technologies. The GAP Innovation Competition Awards, a programme implemented in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Agency and Emory University Guizzeta Business School are back, once again this year shining a spotlight on some of South Africa's most outstanding researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Every year, candidates from five specific sectors of the economy are brought together to showcase their remarkable innovations. These categories include Biosciences, Medical, Green economy, ICT, and Township Economy Revitalisation (TER).
The Interim CEO of The Innovation Hub Management Company, Mr Mothibedi Matshele, announced that this year's theme for the GAP Innovation Competition is "Solving societal challenges through innovation." Matshele said, "We've chosen this theme because we recognize the wealth of technological capabilities and innovative entrepreneurs across our nation.
Mr Matshele emphasized, "Our country is renowned as one of the strongest economies, not only on our continent but also beyond. Consequently, our economy requires sectoral competitiveness that doesn't just address problems but also devises innovative solutions. Our researchers and innovative entrepreneurs have consistently proven themselves as beacons of innovation."
“The partnership with the Innovation Hub to facilitate the GAP Innovation awards is an example of how collaborations contribute to TIA fulfilling its mandate. Guided by the country’s Bio-economy strategy, TIA supports the translation of South Africa’s knowledge resources into sustainable bio-based solutions that address societal challenges while contributing to sustainable economic growth. In collaborating with strategic partners, we foster a robust community of entrepreneurship support systems that offer bio-entrepreneurs a conducive environment for success. Bio-based innovations, particularly the bio-medical innovations and technologies, have great potential for socio-economic impact, in areas such health sector,” says Vusi Skosana, Executive: Innovation Enabling at TIA.
The winners will be unveiled during a prestigious awards ceremony scheduled to take place on Thursday, 29 February 2024, at The Innovation Hub, where prizes will include seed funding and access to The Innovation Hub's unique incubation programmes.
Here is the list of the 2023 Finalists for the various GAP categories, to learn more about their innovations, kindly click https://www.theinnovationhub.com/files/documents/GAPProfiles_Final_2023.pdf
GAP BIOSCIENCES (4):
GAP MEDICAL (4):
GAP TOWNSHIP ECONOMY (6):
GAP ICT (11):
GAP GREEN ECONOMY (9):
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For media queries and more information, please contact:
Linah Nematandani – Acting General Manager for Marketing and Communications
Email: lnematandani@theinnovationhub.com
Tel: (+27) 12 844 0030
Mobile: (+27) 71 673 9964
About The Innovation Hub
The Innovation Hub is a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA). As the innovation agency of the Gauteng province, it manages Africa's first internationally accredited Science and Technology Park of the same name. It is a full member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP). Strategically located in Tshwane, South Africa's executive capital in the 'smart' province of Gauteng, The Innovation Hub implements initiatives identified in the Gauteng Innovation Strategy and Green Economy strategy to advance the province's economic development and growth through innovation. The Innovation Hub has created unique spaces in Tshwane and the rest of the Gauteng province for high-tech entrepreneurs, world-class businesses, academics, researchers and venture capitalists to meet, network and prosper.
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