From left, InnoVenton Acting Director Louise Hamilton, Dr Melissa Gouws, TIA Technology Stations Programme head Vusi Skosana and InnoVenton Deputy Director Dr Gary Dugmore
Based in the University’s Faculty of Science, InnoVenton offers services to industry clients, SMEs, students and student entrepreneurs, focussing on engagements with industry and SMEs in technology development for Downstream Chemical products and processes as part of the path to commercialisation.
“InnoVenton is where we dream, innovate and create, helping ideas become real-world solutions,” said InnoVenton Acting Director Louise Hamilton. “Our general testing services offer problem solving and analysis for local companies who need support in this area.
Formal training, short courses, workshops, and technology support form the foundation of our engagement interactions.”
These have included large projects such as converting microalgae to energy, Iluba rose preservation, Sasol aviation fuel distillation and COVID-19 hand sanitiser response, as well as formulating cosmetic and personal care solutions for clients and synthesis of niche high value chemicals.
In 2025, there is a whole new slate of innovative research – and, with support from the national Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) – InnoVenton brings this one step closer to commercialisation.
“At InnoVenton ideas become reality with chemical technology solutions making a difference,” Hamilton said.
Vusi Skosana, Head: Technology Stations Programme at the TIA said the Technology Stations Programme (TSP) was established to enable universities of technology to provide technology development services to small and medium enterprises.
“InnoVenton is one of our oldest partners in this programme and we celebrate this 20-year milestone with pride as we have seen the impact of this partnership,” said Skosana.
“Some of the main objectives of TSP is to provide vital infrastructure and expertise to support enterprise development within the innovation landscape. This has, over the years, served as a bridge between academic theory and experiential training for students to practically apply the knowledge acquired.
“The infrastructure, equipment and expertise at InnoVenton has over the years been instrumental to supporting enterprise development within the innovation landscape for businesses both small and large.
"This support for industry and human capacity development has fostered an enabling ecosystem that has positively impacted the economy in the Eastern Cape and beyond. TIA congratulates the management and staff of InnoVenton and we wish them success in future endeavours as we continue to work together.”
In partnership with TIA, InnoVenton leverages its position and resources to develop, implement and support technology in the chemical and biochemical and related industries.
Nelson Mandela University Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Professor Azwinndini Muronga, said the work conducted at InnoVenton was science for society.
“The end goal is to make a tangible socio-economic impact that supports local, regional and national priorities,” said Prof Muronga.
As a leader in applied science and innovation for social good, he said, supporting entrepreneurship and job creation was key for the University.
Prof Muronga paid tribute to the “mastermind” behind InnoVenton, the late Prof Ben Zeelie, and the institute’s contribution to the innovation space, saying that he looked forward to the next 20 years.
The InnoVenton team of staff and interns celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela University entity
2025 is a project-packed year for InnoVenton, with activities that include:
• Product and process development: entrepreneurs use the pilot scale facility at InnoVenton where they can have test batches produced to qualify their products.
• Cosmeac formulaaon development and improvement: clients have requested assistance to improve formulations for body loaons and face creams using various specialised key ingredients.
• Graduate Internship Programme.
• Pilot scale prototype manufacturing facility for emulsions for cosmeac formulations, to bridge the gap between lab scale work and 4500L contract manufacturing.
• Synthesis of agri-chemical intermediates for food security.
• Investigating fluorochemicals manufacturing and downstream chemical synthesis applications.
Over and above this, InnoVenton offers numerous workshops, open to the public, throughout the year.