Brazil and South Africa share similar economic and development challenges. Collaboration between these two nations is therefore expected in order to draw on each other’s experiences and best practices. For both countries, science, technology and innovation have featured strongly as enablers for development. This dialogue brought together experts in the field of innovation policy, with specific reference to entrepreneurs and high tech startups, to share their expertise on ongoing advancements in both countries and their regions. Given that South Africa commemorates youth month in June, young innovators, through a social media call, were also in attendance and contributed a dynamic component toward the discussion. About 150 people representing each of these groups are expected to attend the event.
The program was composed of three panel discussions, each lending insight into various aspects of advancements in innovation relating to South Africa and Brazil.
Former CEO of The Innovation Hub, Dr Sibanda, gave an overview of the role of The Innovation Hub in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial activity in South Africa. Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation and Resources at Department of Science and Technology, Mr Daan du Toit and His Excellency the Ambassador of Brazil Mr Nedilson Jorge were also in attendance and spoke on the need to accelerate the role of innovation for economic activity and inclusion.
Two entrepreneurs incubated at The Innovation Hub offered personal accounts of ways in which their companies had been able to leverage advancements in technology through developing solutions for local problems. These were Mr Matthias Brodner, co-founder and commercial/partnerships specialist at Simplus Innovation and Mr Olatoye Amosun, founder and director at Consumatech Solutions.