The Innovation Hub calls for Covid-19 solutions

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Amidst the distressing circumstances, the world has also seen creative and innovative ideas stemming from the urgency of the situation.

“South Africa is no different, and we are taking this opportunity to call on local innovators to help our country fight this virus with solutions that take into account our unique challenges,” says Advocate Pieter Holl, CEO at The Innovation Hub.

The Innovation Hub (TIH) is calling on local innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists, SMMEs, research institutions, universities, and the public to submit their solutions relating to preventing the spreading of the novel coronavirus. Through its Open Innovation Solution Exchange programme, a platform and process which connects solution-seekers to solution-providers, TIH is offering successful applicants the opportunity to test, develop, incubate and commercialise their solutions.

Submissions should address the direct and indirect societal effects of Covid-19 and be proven concepts that need maturation, or existing solutions that can be adapted.

“Furthermore, it is important that the solutions address the South African context. As a country, we are unique in many ways. Our solutions should be too,” says Advocate Holl.

Examples of solutions include, but are not limited to:

• Disinfection of the environment
  
• Information sharing tools and platforms
  
• Medical solutions
  
• Social distancing techniques
  
• Essential goods delivery
  
• Remote working solutions
  
• Solutions in the context of townships, rural areas and taxi ranks

Submissions can be made online at www.openix.co.za until 31 July 2020, and will be judged on a variety of scientific, technical and commercial criteria.