The one-day workshop follows extensive research by the EDP and marks the launch of the Western Cape Regional Innovation Network. It includes a presentation by award-winning South African innovator Kerryne Krause-Neufeldt of I-Slices Manufacturing and a panel discussion including Dr Paul Johl of IDC Venture Capital, McLean Sibanda, CEO of The Gauteng Innovation Hub and Pio Lumaga, a leading global innovator and designer.
Case studies from leading practitioners in innovation partnerships also form part of the programme, such as the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) under the auspices of Green Cape, and the Better Living Challenge under the auspices of the Cape Craft and Design Institute.
Innovation hubs and networks - globally acknowledged as central to the advancement of countries - are most productive when closely integrated into regional systems that actively facilitate collaboration, enable partnerships and drive execution.
The Network will serve to facilitate collaboration, enable partnerships and drive execution across all sectors and industries. It will link innovative large and small businesses, four universities with extensive research capacity, other public research institutions and various entities that support knowledge-intensive activities to innovate in the province.
Industry bodies, government officials, thought leaders, innovators and senior executives from research and development organisations, venture capital firms, Western Cape universities are invited to participate in co-designing a programme of action for the Regional Innovation Network.
For more, email Phindile Tshabangu at az.oc.pdecw@elidnihP or call +27 (0) 21 832 0200.
