The success of the national Step-Up Technology Innovation Competition is an indication that innovation projects can create many new businesses and promote technological development in South Africa, says competition project director and business development company Traction Projects joint MD Martin Feinstein.

“We received close to 400 entries this year, which is an excellent result for a pilot project. The Step-Up Technology Innovation Competi-tion aims to support the innovation and entre-preneurship ecosystem by functioning as a first-stage assessment of innovative ideas.”

Once a team of judges selects an idea, it is supported with business development in the form of expert advice, incubation and introduction to development financing and business contacts.

“If the recognition of talent and the development of businesses were automatic, there would be no need for discovery or exposition programmes. Innovations are selected based on commercial merit and must have demonstrated commercial viability, or have potential commercial application, before being developed through the support of partnerships, expertise and business networks,” says Feinstein.

Further, the success of the Step-Up Technology Innovation Competition presents the opportunity to be a more effective form of innovation and entrepreneurship, which will be the true benefit for South Africa. The project will be scaled up in 2014 and will seek broader participation from the less developed provinces of South Africa.

Business development organisation Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and petrochemicals giant Sasol sponsored the competition, which was managed by Traction Projects.

“The ability to innovate is critical for our long-term success as a nation. Innovation underpins industrial growth and will play an increasingly important role in key industrial policies,” says Sasol ChemCity Technology Development & Innovation GM Herman Berry.

ChemCity is Sasol’s supplier and enterprise development vehicle and has developed over 700 small and medium-sized enterprises, which have created 12 500 jobs since 2005.

“The next step after incubation is competitiveness. We have been impressed by the innovation and creativity of the finalists and many ideas can be developed through cooperation to benefit South Africa,” he emphasises.

“The TIA’s aim is to contribute to job creation by functioning as a connector and enabler to support the development of entrepreneurs and businesses, but recognises that it cannot do this alone. Innovation requires connections and partnerships to enable development, of which expert support is an important part,” says TIA acting CEO Mkhululi Mazibuko.

The TIA aims to take advantage of the Step-Up Technology Innovation Competition and implement programmes to stimulate innovation in other provinces as well, especially in rural areas. The TIA will expose ideas and entrepreneurs to experts and opportunities through its partners, emphasises Mazibuko.

Innovation is the spark needed to drive change and progress and the Department of Science and Technology aims to enhance the science, technology and innovation ecosystem.