4 July 2014
The East London Industrial Development Zone (Elidz), in partnership with the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, has launched a web-based open solution exchange platform to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship in the Eastern Cape.
The Connect and Solve pilot project, launched in East London on Monday, aims to “stimulate economic growth through innovation deal-making by connecting organisations, academia, government institutes and science and technology communities through the Connect and Solve portal,” Elidz said in a statement.
The new hub will serve as a platform for showcasing the expertise, technologies and inventions of regional innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers, and help to eliminate barriers to innovation for small businesses, Elidz told Engineering News.
Government agencies, companies and organisations will be able to publish business challenges that require innovative solutions from researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs in the region, who will then have the opportunity to offer their ideas, capabilities or products.
Elidz said local technologies would be identified and connected to local and regional markets, and that global partners, markets and suppliers would be found if local providers were not available.
SAinfo reporter
