MAPHOTLA – Vuligqondo Living Lab, based in Maphotla in the Dr JS Moroka Municipality, is calling for applications from grassroots innovators seeking a 12-month business incubation opportunity.
The programme offers technical assistance, new product and service development, and support up to the prototyping stage.
The Vuligqondo Innovation Networking Platform is an initiative of the Vuligqondo Research and Manufacturing Centre, in partnership with the Regional Innovation Support Platform and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The initiative aims to bring together government, the private sector, research institutions, the community, grassroots innovators, and technology SMMEs to foster rural inclusive economic growth through innovation.
Jacob Masingi, founder of Vuligqondo, has empowered more than 500 local businesses in the Dr JS Moroka Municipality through Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and the Department of Science and Innovation to support socio-economic development in the area.
The initiative is currently funded by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the Regional Innovation Support Programme to support 60 grassroots innovators in the municipality.
Through the Local Economic Development Forum, Masingi initiated the Dr JS Moroka Poultry Production Farmers Association as part of his efforts to establish the Fanisa Poultry Abattoir in Maphotla with support from Nkangala District Municipality and the Department of Agriculture.
Masingi is an electrical engineering graduate from the Tshwane University of Technology and a qualified mechanical fitter. He was also nominated as the Best Mind2Machine Breakthrough Developer of the Year in 2015 and 2017 by MTN Business SA.
“The main aim is to build inclusive economic growth through innovative solutions from grassroots innovators to create more job opportunities and fight against the high rates of unemployment and poverty through innovation initiatives,” said Masingi.
Interested parties can follow the link https://www.vllab.co.za to apply before 28 January 2025.
