Creativity and knowledge share are the order of the day as technology enthusiasts, innovators, developers and investors continue to flock to the 2012 Africa Innovation Summit on at The Forum on the Dimension Data Campus, Bryanston, Johannesburg, until 30 August.
A unique feature of this year’s event is the hosting of live video streaming to five other countries to facilitate realtime discussion and knowledge transfer.
After its enthusiastic reception at the last Innovation Summit, “the Lab” is back, providing this year’s event with an interactive hub where breakthrough technologies share space with art, architecture, food and live performance and South Africa’s boldest thinkers swop experiences and business cards.
The 2nd Innovation Lab is sponsored by Sasol and will be curated by top South African brand consultants and pioneers in contextual thinking.
The Lab’s physical structure has been designed by architects, artists and technicians and will be built using recycled material, cotton and sustainable technologies to create a dynamic, organic environment conducive to the free flow of people and ideas.
One of the Lab’s primary functions will be to facilitate connections among role players at all stages of the innovation process, from inspiration to commercialisation.
It will provide a platform for inventors to showcase prototypes and pitch concepts to investors, while entrepreneurs will be linked to suitable technology providers, funders and government agencies through a process of “entrepreneurial matchmaking”.
There will also be plenty of opportunities for informal engagement at the Lab’s “pause spaces” where participants can enjoy freshly- prepared food, visual art and live performances.
Open day on August 28 offered the wider public, and especially the youth, first-hand experience of innovation in action, including the chance to interact with the most creative minds in business, academia, the media, government and civil society.
The Innovation Lab will operate for the duration of the Innovation Summit.
For more information visit innovationsummit.co.za, email marketing@innovationsummit.co.za
Chris Tredger, Online Editor
