Hub's 2007 event focus on celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship

Participate now by completing our nomination form!

South African born Michael Thackeray is best known for his research on electrode materials for lithium batteries. The technology he developed helps power everyday objects like cellular telephones.

Sydney Brenner, CH FRS (born January 13, 1927) is a South African biologist and 2002 Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine laureate.

NewsBits recently spoke to Lindsay Prescott, a member of the Hub's core team, about plans for a two-day event in May this year to celebrate innovative achievement during the Hub’s forthcoming Business and Entrepreneurship Days on 25 and 26 May.

To tie into these events, the Hub would like to add new entrants to its Tribute to Innovation wall, located in the Innovation Centre at the Hub precinct in Pretoria. On this wall, the Hub proudly identifies South African innovators born in this country who have achieved acclaim for their contributions to placing our nation on the road to growth and prosperity.

This is an invitation for you to participate in the nomination process. According to Lindsay:

"The two main components integral to the core of The Innovation Hub is innovation and entrepreneurship. Not only does the Hub promote these concepts through its in-house business mentorship and guidance programmes, it also provides recognition and collaborative opportunities to individuals and companies who have scaled innovation heights or are blazing trails in their chosen fields.

At the Hub's official launch on 5 April 2005, we took great pleasure in recognising innovative achievements by fellow South Africans. These included:

• Prof Sir Aaron Klug for his discoveries in biotechnology
• Allan Cormack for his part in the development of the CAT-scanner
• Johan Coetzer for his contributions to the development of the Zebra battery
• Mark Shuttleworth for his dedication and assistance to start-up entrepreneurs and encouraging an interest in science and technology amongst the youth of South Africa
• Max Theiler for the development of a vaccine against yellow-fever
• Michael Thackeray for his discoveries in battery technology
• Mike Melvill for his work in the aerospace industry and achievement as "one of the best pilots in the world"
• George "Monty" Prately for the invention of Pratley Putty
• Dr Percy Amoils for his pioneering involvement in cryosurgery
• Rory Byrne for his engineering excellence in the motor industry, specifically Ferrari F1, and
• Sydney Brenner for his discoveries concerning the genetic regulation of organ development and programmed cell death.

As we approach the anniversary of our launch date in April this year, we would like members of our INNOV8 community, and other interested parties, to nominate their choice of inspiring South Africans - such as the ones listed above - to be acknowledged on the "Tribute to Innovation" wall at the Hub.

The nominated person should have made a considerable impact or contribution to one or more of the following fields: biosciences, engineering, electronics, ICT, smart manufacturing/nanotechnology, Research & Development and/or entrepreneurial endeavour/support/development."

If you would like to participate, and we do hope that you will do so, please complete the nomination form on the Hub's website or contact Lindsay at lprescott@theinnovationhub.com for more information.

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