Seven universities applauded for advancing research commercialisation and business incubation

Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Tembisa Ndabeni (right)

Speaking at the 2nd International Conference on Business Innovation and Incubation (ICBII) 2025, hosted by Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Minister Ndabeni highlighted the importance of collaborative models in driving economic and social change.

The conference, organised by the Business Incubation Web Association (BIWA), brought together academics, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry stakeholders from across South Africa and abroad.

BIWA was initiated through a partnership between Nelson Mandela University, CPUT, and Walter Sisulu University, later expanding to include Central University of Technology, Durban University of Technology Business School, University of Mpumalanga, and Vaal University of Technology.

The association addresses the challenges and opportunities of commercialising research outputs, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and communities.

“BIWA was established to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and real-world application,” said Minister Ndabeni. “Through strategic partnerships, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing, it empowers entrepreneurs, supports startups, and drives sustainable solutions to today’s challenges.”

She noted that this approach aligns with her department's broader strategy to build partnerships within the entrepreneurship ecosystem to achieve scale and impact. “We are committed to increasing early-stage entrepreneurial activity through targeted, sector-specific interventions,” she added.

Minister Ndabeni emphasised the value of leveraging academic and industry expertise to equip young entrepreneurs with the technical and business skills needed to create viable, market-ready solutions. “Incubation is about transforming job seekers into job creators,” she said.

The conference took place against the backdrop of financial pressures on higher education institutions worldwide. In South Africa, government subsidies to universities have declined in real terms, prompting a growing interest in third-stream income through research commercialisation and formalised entrepreneurship programmes.

The ICBII conference featured a range of topics, including incubation and acceleration, sustainability and green innovation, entrepreneurship in developing economies, and policy frameworks for enabling future business innovation.

UK-based venture capitalist and keynote speaker, Pat Lynch, advised entrepreneurs to start with an exit strategy in mind, noting, “The business you start with is not the business you end with.”

Professor Mikael Samuelsson of the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, who has launched incubators across Europe and Africa, stressed the importance of defining success early on.

Based on his research, he noted that real business impact often takes between three and ten years. However, he cautioned incubators not to shield entrepreneurs excessively, as resilience and exposure to real challenges are vital for growth.

Luvuyo Rani, founder of Silulo Ulutho Technologies, a social enterprise delivering digital access and skills in underserved communities, encouraged entrepreneurs to view failure as a catalyst for resilience rather than defeat.

Dr Thobekani Lose (left), conference founder and Director of the Mandela University Africa Hub, reflected on the event’s evolution: “Our original vision was to create a global platform bridging research, practice, and policy. This year, with 58 quality submissions and 154 attendees from around the world, ICBII continues to grow as a centre of innovation and thought leadership.”

BIWA’s Mission at a Glance

BIWA is guided by five strategic pillars:

• Innovation Acceleration: Turn university research into market-ready solutions
• Incubation Expansion: Grow support hubs in underserved areas
• Capacity Building: Provide training and mentorship for entrepreneurs and incubator leaders
• Thought Leadership: Lead policy dialogue through events and conferences
• Inclusive Growth: Empower youth, women, and township enterprises for broader economic impact