Industrial development requires innovation

“There is no industrial development without innovation. Science and technology must ensure that the established parts of our economy continue to innovate in an increasingly competitive world so that we can derive the greatest benefits from our geographic advantages and resources,” said Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. Minister Nzimande was speaking at the launch of the CSIR commercialisation enterprise (speech), CSIR C³, which took place on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 in Sandton.

CSIR C³ (pronounced CSIR C-Cubed) is a stand-alone special purpose technology commercialisation vehicle, set up by the CSIR, to commercialise and industrialise technologies and the intellectual property (IP) that the organisation generates. The enterprise is a wholly owned CSIR company that holds, trades and commercialises CSIR-developed technology. It is a dedicated capability to commercialise CSIR technologies at pace and scale, acting as an accelerator to license and help incubate high-tech start-ups developed from CSIR intellectual property.

Socioeconomic development at the heart of technological advancement

Endorsing CSIR C³, Minister Nzimande highlighted the overwhelming global evidence to support the link between a country’s investment in research and development and its social and economic development and prosperity. “The launch of this platform is an important initiative that demonstrates that socioeconomic development also remains at the heart of our technological advancements,” he affirmed.

CSIR C³ is driven by specialists in business creation to nurture enterprises, build partnerships with current enterprises and stimulate investment to complement the technical capabilities of the CSIR.

Transforming CSIR C³ innovations into economic success stories

CSIR CEO, Dr Thulani Dlamini, invited key stakeholders to join the organisation in transforming CSIR innovations into economic success stories by collaborating with CSIR C³. “We believe that the time is right for an initiative of this nature as it supports our national science and technology policy, the Decadal Plan, as well as our country’s mission to reindustrialise,” he remarked.

Dlamini explained that the CSIR has adopted an approach of creating a dynamic ecosystem of willing partners and shared values, seeking mutual benefits. This ecosystem rests on three critical elements, namely a strong intellectual property portfolio, entrepreneurs with a sharp business acumen and a network of investors along the full value chain of technology commercialisation.

“The commercialisation of IP is not just about financial resources, it’s about creating an ecosystem of these critical elements, including the facilities that are required for incubation and acceleration of technology development and innovation,” Dlamini maintained.

Collaborate. Create. Commercialise.

CSIR C³ centres on collaboration, creation and commercialisation and this thread runs firmly in this CSIR C³  prospectus. Dr Rachel Chikwamba, Group Executive: CSIR Advanced Chemistry and Life Sciences, shared the golden nuggets –  the first 18 advanced, high-impact technologies. The technologies outlined in this prospectus have the potential to transform key sectors by teaming up with the right partners – entrepreneurs; established corporates; small, medium and micro enterprises; private equity; venture capitalists; specialised funds and government agencies.

Chikwamba acknowledged that commercialising 18 technologies will take immense effort. “These 18 technologies are the first technologies to be included in our prospectus, but our pipeline is evergreen – there are many more technologies that are under development and also maturing and that will soon be ready for commercial uptake,” she declared.

*By Kirosha Kamal