Dr Andrew Bailey, acting-director of Research Contracts and Innovation at UCT, says: “UCT’s commitment to innovation and technology transfer is exemplified by our investment of R100 million in the South African SME Fund. Through our participation in the UTF and our partnership with the SA SME Fund, UCT is proud to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of South Africa’s innovation landscape.
“The university has made a significant contribution to the flourishing medical device sector in Cape Town, with 17 companies in the sector over the last 20 years. Universities can play an important role in developing the local economy.”
The next phase of investment will further accelerate the translation of groundbreaking research from South African universities into impactful technologies and businesses. Significantly, UCT’s investment in UTF II also opens new opportunities for its alumni, enabling them to participate in this transformative innovation ecosystem.
Since its partnership with UTF in January 2020, UCT has significantly expanded its innovation funding environment. UTF, together with the university’s own Evergreen Fund (launched in 2017), complements UCT’s existing Pre-Seed Fund, providing a comprehensive suite of gap-funding solutions to facilitate the university’s technology transfer and commercialisation priorities. These funds play a critical role in incubating early-stage research and technology, creating pathways for nascent innovations to reach market readiness.
Full story: UCT launches new innovation fund – IT-Online
