We have just ended our 2018/19 financial year, and what a year it has been. This is the time that we reflect on what we have achieved as an organisation together with our partners
As we take stock of our achievements and plan for the new financial year, allow me to firstly thank my team for their dedication and hardwork and also making sure that the entrepreneurs are provided with the necessary support to ensure that they upscale their businesses.
We are pleased to share with you that our business incubators continued to provide support to our entrepreneurs, with an impact of 68 start- ups companies making their first sale in South Africa and around the world. These are the entrepreneurs who may have had doors slammed in their faces, their ideas ridiculed and at some point, almost gave up on themselves and their dreams but they persevered. After much hard work and dedication their business is finally commercialising and opportunities to upscale their businesses are bearing fruits, we commend the following entrepreneurs that are now exporting to the neighbouring countries:
On 08 March 2019, together with the Executive team of The Innovation Hub, I had an opportunity to meet and have an intimate discussion with the tenant CEOs located within The Innovation Hub. The objective of the breakfast was for us to engage with the precinct CEO’s and to give an update on strategic issues pertaining to the upkeep of the park. Going forward we will host bi annual tenant forums.
With regards to infrastructure, we are expanding The Innovation Hub as a Science and Technology Park by way of providing additional infrastructure with some of the projects completed and others currently underway:
1.Roads Upgrade
To facilitate the closure of Hotel Street (the main access road to The Innovation Hub) during its upgrade and expansion, we completed the rehabilitation of the service road (which is the emergency access to The Innovation Hub via Sappurs Contour Street in Lynnwood.) The service road behind the ‘Koppie’ leading to The Innovation Hub Drive inside the park, will therefore be used as a temporary access road when Hotel Street is closed for traffic a 15 day period.
2. Biopark@Gauteng Phase 3 Building
3. Enterprise Buildings 2 and 3 Buildings
Lastly, allow me to thank our Shareholder, the Chairperson and Board members of TIHMC, Gauteng Growth and Development Agency and Gauteng Department of Economic Development under the leadership of MEC Lebogang Maile, for the sterling support and leadership to make sure that we advance the status of innovation and entrepreneurship in South Africa.
To stay abreast with all the exciting entrepreneurship news, information and opportunities available at The Innovation Hub, connect with us on our social media platforms: follow us on Twitter @Innovhub, like us on Facebook InnovhubZA and Instagram Innovhub or visit our website www.theinnovationhub.com . Alternatively call our help desk on 012 844 0000