A year of challenges and rewards

In retrospect, although challenging, 2003 has been a significantly rewarding year for The Innovation Hub, with the achievement of a number of important milestones. Highlights have certainly included the start of construction on the site and the announcement of Sappi Ltd as our first anchor tenant, while interest in leasehold tenancy has been increasing at a rapid pace.
In addition, the various companies participating in both our pilot incubation and post-incubation facilities have recorded significant growth and have created a number of new jobs. Participants in the post-graduate ITCoachLab mentorship programme have reported important learning; while we have experienced a growing awareness of the relevance of Science Parks to both national and local economic growth. As one of the 11 Blue IQ economic development projects, the Hub has been recognised as a special mayoral project by Tshwane Metro to support its positioning as a 'smart' city.

And certainly of no less importance as we strive to create Gauteng's high-tech cluster 'for creators of the future' - the enrolment in the Hub's INNOV8 high-tech networked community initiative, as well as our recently launched Know-How Network, is growing in leaps and bounds, with both Pub@Hub and POWER Breakfast events now being regular fixtures on the local hi-tech community calendar. INNOV8 is fast establishing itself as South Africa's premier high-tech and "knowledge-intensive" community network.

We are looking forward in the year ahead to visible and rapid progress with construction of the site, as well as even greater levels of activity in both expanding our community initiatives and forging new partnerships, both local and international.

Thank you for your continued interest in The Innovation Hub, as well as for your on-going support in helping us to achieve our objectives.

Enjoy the festive season!

Dr Neville Comins, CEO, The Innovation Hub

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