Page 86 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2024/5 - ebook
P. 86

INNOVATE DURBAN






                                          VISION
                                          We envision being a leading innovation agency that
                                          transforms the region into a dynamic and inclusive
                                          ecosystem.
                                          MISSION
                                          Innovate Durban will nurture, co-ordinate and facilitate an
                                          inclusive innovation ecosystem through utilising the fourth
                                          industrial revolution for economic growth and job creation,
                                          with a focus on industry, spatially excluded or marginalised
                       CEO:               persons, the public sector and SMMEs.
                    Aurelia Alberts
                                          KEY PERSONNEL
       Full Name of Company: Innovate Durban NPC  Chairperson of the Board: Professor Deresh Ramjugernath
       Nature of Business: Special purpose vehicle to support   CEO: Aurelia Albert
       innovators, innovation and the innovation ecosystem  Head: Innovation & Comercialisation: Susanne Ramsunder
                                          Research Lead: Patrick Martel
       Products / Services: Innovator Support Programmes and
       accelerator, capacity and Skills Development, Research,   CONTACT DETAILS
       innovation advisory and management, Innovation Co-   HEAD OFFICE
       Lab with co-working space, makerspace with laser cutting  Physical Address: 12 Brown Road, Point Waterfront,
       and 3D printing services, venue hire  Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4001
                                          E-mail: info@innovate.durban
       Date Established: 2016
                                          Website: www.innovate.durban
        No. of Employees: 12
                                          INNOVATION CO-LAB:
       Auditor: Moore Durban Bank: Nedbank
                                          Physical Address: Umkhumbane Entrepreneurial Support
       B-BBEE Status: Level 1             Centre, 240 Harry Gwala Road, Wiggins, 4091
       JOIN THE REVOLUTION                and leveraging innovation to advance society. Innovate
                                          Durban has aligned its priorities and targets with the
       Innovate Durban (RF) NPC is a registered non-profit   Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure its
       company set up as a special purpose vehicle to support  actions contribute to shaping a sustainable world.
       innovators, innovation and the innovation ecosystem   The Innovate Durban team produces programmes
       through programmes, research, capacity building, and   and platforms that uphold the vision and mission of
       skills development. The programmes and activities of   developing innovation in the region. They do this
       the organisation are supported through virtual and   through upholding the organisational values of:
       physical platforms (Innovation Co-Lab) and events.
                                             ƒ Creating momentum for and driving projects
       Innovate Durban was initiated and founded by     and programmes in the city that innovatively
       eThekwini  Municipality  through  the  Innovate  Durban      tackle social, system and structure issues that
       Stakeholder Forum. Members of the forum include      hinder growth and perpetuate poverty.
       stakeholders from academia, public sector departments,     ƒ Collaborating with, and connect, stakeholders
       Innovate Durban partners and funders, relevant      from all spheres, to work together to ‘disrupt’
       business chambers and coalitions, relevant incubators      thinking, and practice and create new
       and accelerators, funders, investors, venture capitalists,      opportunities for active participation by all in
       and development agencies related to innovation, as well      growth and renewal.
       as research and technical centres or hubs.
                                             ƒ Connecting those in need with real opportunity,
       The organisation is led by a diverse and dynamic group     by providing, inter alia, practical tools and
       of people who are highly passionate about innovation     training, access to resources and support for self-

       84
   81   82   83   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91