MyWorld of Tomorrow, in partnership with Business Connexion and Business Day, has announced the finalists for the SA Innovation Awards – an awards programme aimed at recognising and celebrating innovative companies and individuals.
Matthew Blewett, chief investment officer at Business Connexion says: “South Africa and Africa, as a continent, have a real opportunity to become leaders in innovation. Innovation is driven by a need and we have some very specific needs on the African continent, such as access to basic health, education, security and agriculture. On the other hand you have technology – another key driver of innovation. So, it’s time for us to embrace these needs, embrace the technology and lead, as we have in the past, in creating innovative solutions to our unique problems. These awards aim to showcase the innovation that is already happening and inspire others to continue on this path.”
“There are some very interesting innovative concepts and products we can look forward to seeing at the Awards this year. There is a diverse variety of ICT related innovations, which is to be expected, and they range from health-related innovations to solutions orientated products,” says Dr Sibongile Gumbi, one of this year’s SA Innovation Awards judges and group executive of biotechnology at the Technology Innovation Agency.
“Something that has really been a pleasure to see whilst adjudicating the entries is that most entities are sourcing materials locally and developing the entire material sourced in SA and exporting that overseas, highlighting an African ability to contribute to the socio economic solutions at a global competitiveness.”
Songezo Zibi, editor of Business Day and SA Innovations Awards judge says: “As one of the leading media houses in the country we have covered a myriad of stories about innovation in the many sectors of the economy and society and Business Day is the perfect platform to give further exposure to South Africa’s unfolding innovation legacy.”
The finalists as adjudicated by a panel of judges and audited by Mazars (in alphabetical order) are:
Collaborative Innovation
– Barclays Africa Group – Rise (a global community for open innovation)
– Edit Microsystems – eBraille Project
– Eternity Power – Eternity Power Thermal Harvesting
– Mabu Casing Soils – Pith Button Mushroom Casing Soil
Community Innovation
– Barclays Africa Group – Rise (a global community for open innovation)
– Greenside Design Centre College of Design – 10Percent Community Engagement Initiative
– hearScreen – hearScreen Smartphone Hearing Solution
– Project Isizwe – Tshwane Free Wi-Fi Project
Corporate Innovation
– Alexander Forbes – LifeGauge
– Aurecon – Innovative Intelligent 3D Design Software at Sidwawa Substation
– King Price Insurance Company – Unique Pricing Model
– Resolve Capacity (Imperial Logistics) – Clinic-in-a-box
Hall of Fame
– AngelShack – Top Task Chair
– Edit Microsystems – eBraille Project
– Eternity Power – Eternity Power Thermal Harvesting
– Dr Ashraf Grimwood – Kheth’Impilo
SMME Innovation
– AngelShack – Top Task Chair
– Enviro Options – Enviro Loo
– Eternity Power – Eternity Power Thermal Harvesting
– Infotech Business Solutions – Infotech Mobile Workforce
– Jikejozi Tuk Tuk Services – The Tuk Tuk Outdoor Mavericks
SMME Innovator
– AHRLAC – Paramount Group
– Jacques Malan – Eternity Power
– Jaen-Jacques Nell – Letidcode
– Vernon Harding – H1 Holdings
The winners will be announced at the awards presentation on the 21st October 2015, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The MWOT conference and expo will run from 22-24 October at the Sandton Convention Centre where it is expected to attract over 30 speakers, 50 exhibitors and 5000 attendees. Tickets are available at www.mwotafrica.com.
Staff Writer