INNOVATIONS BROUGHT A STEP CLOSER TO FRUITION AS THE INNOVATION HUB ANNOUNCES GAP INNOVATION COMPETITION 2018 WINNERS
Tshwane, 15 November 2018– A treasure trove of ideas have been added to the Gauteng province’s arsenal to boost the economy and find new solutions as The Innovation Hub – a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) - annouced the winners of the Gauteng Accelerator Programme (GAP) Innovation Competition 2018.
Winners comprise innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs that are working on novel ideas that will improve the efficiency of government service delivery, increase the competitiveness of the local economy and enhance the quality of life of ordinary citizens.
From enviro-friendly ablution and sanitation solutions, to recyclable sanitary wear; improved access to dental care and what promises to be a sure winner for our consumption driven economy – a technological solution that alerts shoppers to the best sales and deals.
The next generation of entrepreneurs will receive commercialisation support and seed funding, and a year-long incubation at of The Innovation Hub’s Business Incubators.
GAP categories are in the ICT, Medical, Biosciences, Green economy and township economy. Since inception in 2011, the five categories of GAP attracted more than 2200 entries and invested over R13 million in seed funding and incubation support to over 76 start-ups.
In selecting the finalists, an independent panel of judges considered business strategy, technology, market, the team, and impact of the technology.
The criteria of selection are based on novelties introduced in one of The Innovation Hub’s priority sectors, namely biosciences (agro-processing and health; pharma and cosmeceuticals), green economy (energy security, water management, waste) and Smart Industries (ICT and advanced manufacturing). After selection, the candidates were exposed to a training course which exposed them to strategic entrepreneurship; business model development; funding channels; pitching workshops; product pricing methods; effective presentation skills; and the composition of effective teams.
“Innovation is an important ingredient in improving the competitiveness of an economy, government should play its role in creating an enabling ecosystem to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.” said MEC Maile, MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development.
"We are excited about the selection of winners made by the adjudication panel, the innovations on all the categories for this year’s GAP Innovation Competitions will improve the lives of the majority of our citizens and play a bigger role in advancing services in the private and public sectors. The winners will be incubated at The Innovation Hub’s business incubation programmes and receive specialist product development support from the Climate Innovation Centre, mLab, BioPark and the eKasiLabs facilities which are located in the townships," said Advocate Pieter Holl, Acting CEO of The Innovation Hub.
The winners for The Innovation Hub GAP Innovation Competition 2018 are:
GATE Winner (Gauteng Township Economies)
The Loo Cap & The Pee Basin (TnM Innovations)
Founders of The Loo Cap & The Pee Basin are in the business of manufacturing Water Efficiency products in the Water & Sanitation Sector. They offer improved Toilet Technology products with an aim to Save Water, Improve Hygiene & Incorporate Grey flushing Systems in everyday living. The products cater for mass occupied buildings such as Schools, Clinics, Hospitals & Malls; Individual Sanitation Needs and Mobile Toilets. All products are locally manufactured in South Africa.
GAP BIO Winner
University of Limpopo
Micropropagation of high value and indigenous rare plants.
Gap Green Winner
Leafline
Leafline manufacture washable sanitary and incontinent wear made from pineapple pulp fibre. The product is reusable and biodegradable.
GAP ICT Winner
Ifoundit
iFOUNDiT has developed a mobile app that uses iBeacon technology to alert its users of retail specials in close proximity. Consumers are rewarded on a point system with every purchase.
GAP Medical Winner
Dentrover
This is a Mobile dental unit targeted for the ease of access of remote and under-privileged communities.
The GATE Special recognition 2018 was awarded to
KEQ Trading- a Technology Software company that specializes in creating database driven management systems and licensing tools for organizations across a broad spectrum of industries, including a Database Management Software for schools.
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For media interview request, please contact
Ms Pulane Mpondo
Communications Coordinator
012 844 0076/ 083 400 7586
For more information, please contact:
Linah Nematandani
Communication and Events Manager
lnematandani@theinnovationhub.com
(+27) 12 844 0030/ (+27) 71 673 9964
Twitter: @InnovHub
Facebook: InnovhubZA
About GGDA
The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), is an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED). GGDA is the implementing arm of the GDED and assists the department in leading, facilitating and managing sustainable job creation and inclusive economic growth and development in the Gauteng City Region.
About The Innovation Hub
The Innovation Hub, a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) is the innovation agency of the Gauteng province and is responsible for managing Africa’s first internationally accredited Science and Technology Park of the same name, and 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 economic development and growth of the Province 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.
For more information visit www.theinnovationhub.com
