UNLOCK THE SEEDS OF WEALTH: MINISTRY URGES EXPERTS TO Fertilize UniTech Dreams with R1-Billion Fund
Attention all geniuses, risk-takers, and change-makers: the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is calling out to you! This is not just a passing whisper – the ministry is willing to spend a whopping R1 billion to back your revolutionary tech ventures, sired at our very own universities.
With the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), the ministry is on a quest to supercharge university innovation hubs, unleashing a tidal wave of entrepreneurship and job creation to revitalize the South African economy.
The partnership between the DSI and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a powerhouse collaboration, engineered to foster an ecosystem where academics, private sector players, and government agencies merge forces to stimulate innovation. And, this is no mere lip-service – it’s a concrete endeavour to create tangible change.
“Our goal is crystal clear: to crack open the hidden potential of our universities by empowering innovators to seize the opportunities lying within,” proclaimed Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
You, esteemed experts, are called upon to inject your expertise into these innovation systems, mentoring, and guiding bright young minds, giving them the much-needed boost to bridge the gaps in the innovation-entrepreneurship landscape.
So, what’s on the menu? Co-creating general entrepreneurship programmes, ideation workshops, business models, validation sessions, market access, and yes, even investing in intellectual property!
The invitation is out: be part of shaping the future of HEIF by applying for one of these transformative initiatives. The call for proposals closes on 19 August, but the opportunities are forever.
Hurry! And remember: in the immortal words of the illustrious Dr Nelson Mandela: “Education is the key that unlocks our imagination, knowledge, and skill, leading to creativity, innovative thinking, and entrepreneurship!”
Apply here: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_negotation.cfm?nego_id=22632
