Stellenbosch Entrepreneurial Hub Hosts Important Visitors

The LaunchLab, business hub of all entrepreneurial activity on the Stellenbosch University (SU) campus, recently hosted two VIPs expressing their interest and support.

Mr Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, visited the LaunchLab on Monday, 21 October to learn more about the hub’s initiatives, programmes and services for young entrepreneurs.

On Friday, 25 October, a Belgium delegation led by Mr Rudy Demotte, Minister-President of the Walloon Government and of the Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, also visited the LaunchLab where they attended various presentations. Minister-President Demotte met with Prof Russel Botman, rector  and vice-chancellor of SU as well as the key roleplayers of Innovus and the LaunchLab to gain further insight into the innovations, opportunities and other services emerging entrepreneurs have access to.  

A proud initiative of Innovus, the University’s industry interaction and innovation company, the LaunchLab is a business accelerator for young entrepreneurs and home to a number of SU spin-out companies. It also houses student start-up companies and external entrepreneurs as well as service provider companies that provide mentoring and services to any tenants who require it. The aim of the LaunchLab is to boost entrepreneurship at the University by providing networking opportunities, mentoring and affordable rental rates in an entrepreneur-friendly environment. It also offers a comprehensive Lift-off programme for Biz-nauts (tenants) and affiliates to give them the knowledge and skills required to launch their own businesses.

“There is a significant need for entrepreneurial support in the Stellenbosch region,” says Ms Anita Nel, Senior Director: Innovation and Business Development at SU and Innovus CEO.

“By fostering entrepreneurship on campus we are empowering our students to start their own businesses and create jobs, wealth and knowledge in the process.  The support of a strong network of mentors who want to contribute to the growth of entrepreneurship on our campus is very important to us.”

The Launchlab programme

The LaunchLab programme consists of

• LaunchLab Talk, which hosts events and talks that focus on raising awareness, introducing opportunities and value chain, and making entrepreneurship aspirational;

• LaunchLab Ideas, which hosts workshops that focus on encouraging innovation and ideas, equipping entrepreneurs with basic skills and funding the best;

• LaunchLab Lift-off, which provides mentorship, training and an internship programme that focuses on incubating start-ups, maximising growth, increasing entrepreneurs’ chances of success; and

• Unipatent Fund, which crosses the funding gap and prepares entrepreneurs for obtaining venture capital.