THE SA Innovation Summit is less than two months away and once again offers a jam-packed programme, designed to ignite and accelerate innovation in every sense.
The 2016 SA Innovation Summit, hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni from September 21 to 24, at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, brings together the most important players in innovation today; thought-leaders, highly successful (and up-and-coming) entrepreneurs, the most innovative businesses, inventors, government policy-makers, motivational speakers, young innovators, tech whizz kids and more.
It offers the opportunity to see and hear some of the most inspirational innovation speakers live in action, showcase, demonstrate, present, pitch, shop, learn, network, make deals and, ultimately, make a difference through innovation.
Innovators and corporates will participate in the Pitching Den, which will allow the innovators to pitch their ideas to a wide international audience.
The City of Ekurhuleni is making a contribution to innovation through establishing Fablabs in Tembisa, Tsakane and Thokoza, to drive innovation among the youth. Summit director Dr Audrey Verhaeghe is excited about partnering with the city.
“This is the perfect fit for us. Ekurhuleni is already very active as an innovator, with its Fablabs, which promote innovation and support entrepreneurship within disadvantaged communities,” she said.“With a number of developments taking shape around the aerotropolis and digital city transformations, the summit will ignite the city’s mandate to stimulate innovation, support and discover fledgling talent in Ekurhuleni,” Caiphus Chauke, head of department for economic development, said.
At the summit, the city will engage in various ways, including a city tour, Ekurhuleni City exhibition and the showcasing of local arts, crafts and innovations.
The highlight will be the building of a Lego City of Opportunity, which will spark conversation and seek answers around how to use insights gained from the exercise to stimulate an actual city.
Registrations are now open. To book your spot or for more information about the summit, visit www.innovationsummit.co.za.
