The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA):Enhancing Technology Development and

Innovation

3RD ANNUAL SATN CONFERENCE

30th September 2010

Dr Mamphela RampheleTIA Chairperson

Contents

TIA and its MandateTIA’s Product and Service Offerings

Technology Development & InnovationTechnology Diffusion for SME CompetitivenessIn-bound Technology TransferSkills Development for the Knowledge Economy

TIA and the Universities of Technology: Challenges & Opportunities

Concluding Remarks04/10/23 2

Research Development Manufacturing

LocalKnowledge

Value addedlocal technology

Products & services

OVERSEAS TECHNOLOGY SOURCESResearch Development Production

Technology

Transfer

$

Innovation “Chasm”

Technology Innovation Agency Bridging the “Chasm” through local technology

commercialisation and diffusion

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TIA & ITS MANDATE

– The TIA Act [No 26 of 2008]:

– “The object of the Agency is to support the State in stimulating and intensifying technological innovation in order to improve economic growth and the quality of life of all South Africans by developing and exploiting technological innovations”

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TIA’s STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Enhance strategic local and international partnerships to increase capital inflows for technological development and technology transfer in South Africa

Support the development of new or improved products and services for local and global markets

Grow the number of technology-based start-ups and SME’s

Support key industry sectors that are better able to utilize local and international technology innovation to enhance their global competitiveness04/10/23 5

TIA Product & Service Offerings

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Technology Development & Innovation

Biotechnology (e.g. Agro-processing, Health, Pharmaceuticals)

Advanced materials (Composites, light metals, new applications, mineral processing)

ICT (information security, crime prevention)

Energy security (Renewable energy sources, Biofuels, efficiency, environmentally friendly technologies)

Production Technologies (mineral processing, components, chemicals, capital goods)

Human Capital Development – (Industry placements, Internships, Postgraduate Students (industry and sector specific qualifications)

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ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

• Technology stations• Technology platforms• Office and laboratory space• High value equipment

ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

• Technology stations• Technology platforms• Office and laboratory space• High value equipment

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PROCESS / PRODUCT CONFIGURATION

(test the market)

• Prototypes / clinical candidates

• Essential data / proven technologies / processes

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

(identify market opportunity)

• markets (what, types, sizes, dynamics, barriers, competitors, etc)

• economic viability

• commercial and legal (incorporation, business plan)

• intellectual property (freedom to operate, strategic licensing

ScienceCouncilsScienceCouncils

Higher Education Institutions

Higher Education Institutions

Techno-entrepreneurs

Techno-entrepreneurs

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ADVISORY SERVICES• Portfolio managers• Project management• Business warehouse• Expert Services• Technology Transfer• Capacity/Infrastructure • In-bound technologies

Business Support Services (aka Nurseries)

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OUTCOMES

(quantification of risk and optimisation of market

opportunity)

• markets (what, types, sizes, dynamics, barriers, competitors, etc)

• economic viability

• commercial and legal (incorporation, business plan)

• intellectual property (freedom to operate, strategic licensing)

EXPERT SERVICES advice on IP transactions due diligence capabilities

market assessments distribution channels

engineering and design commercialisation of IP

sector analysis technology assessment term sheet and contract

negotiation capability Valuation

Portfolio /Sector Specialists

Commercialisation Specialists

IP Specialists

Business Advisory / Expert Services

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Research Development Manufacturing

LocalIP and R&D base

Value addedlocal technology

Products & services

Research Development Production

Bridging the Innovation

“Chasm”

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Mapping local assessed needs to:

(i) technologies available outside target companies and (ii) local technology and manufacturing capabilities

In-bound Technology Transfer based on assessed needs

Increased R&D and IP base

Improved manufacturing

capabilities

Fast-tracked product

development

In-bound technologiesStrengthening R&D Base and reducing developmental risk

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Human Capital Development

AMTS

CAPE BIOTECH

INNOVATION FUND

LIFELAB

BIOPAD

TSHUMISANO

DST Sponsored Internships &Bursaries

PLANTBIO

PRIME & LEAP

BIO EntrepreneurHEI EntrepreneurBIO Mentor

NICLECHUMASA BIOPLANNICIP SKILLS

GTZ TSP

BIOMENTORSHIP

Strategic interventions recognising capabilities and mandates of:

HEIs NRF Private sector

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Technology Diffusion for SME Innovation & Competitiveness

Technology Stations Program Focus is on SME’s underpinned by an indelible footprint at using the

Universities of Technology as the base Closest to the intentions of the Industrial Policy Action Plan -2 Provides engineering capabilities, required for industrializing the

other High Technology Innovation portfolios Key industrial clusters include:

Agro-processing and Chemicals Primary and Secondary Manufacturing Tooling and Metal Casting In-bound technology by increasing absorptive capacity of existing

SME’s

Opportunity to enhance TIA’s Footprint in Underserved Provinces: Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West04/10/23 12

TIA & Universities of Technology

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As highlighted by the Minister of Science and Technology and

the OECD Innovation Review, there is still a skewing of funding

in terms of Higher Education Expenditure e.g. 75% of the

expenditure being at only six research intensive universities.

This would limit TIA’s outputs as according to the TIA Act, its

primary focus is on commercialization of research outputs

from all 23 universities national-wide.

Challenges & Opportunities

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However, due it’s historical presence at the Universities of

Technology, TIA can and will:

Built on the already existing Infrastructure and Technological

Expertise it inherited from its migrating entities

To sweat these Technology Assets in pursuit of regional economic

growth economic imperatives in line with the UoT’s own regional

agendas

Challenges & Opportunities (Continued…)

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Concluding Remarks

TIA provides opportunities for Universities of Technology to intensify their involvement in Technology Innovation efforts through:

The well established Technology Transfer Centers and Technology Platforms at Universities of Technology

The UOT’s emphasis on applied rather than basic research Targeted human capital development in Partnership with Industry

Enhance TIA’s engagements with the Key SME sector to enhance their growth and competitiveness to enhance sustainable Job creation

The TIA - Universities of Technology engagement can and must drive Innovation for Social Impact initiatives e.g. Affordable Housing, Water Resource, Energy Security & Sustainable Agriculture.

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Ke ya Leboga!

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