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Innovation Fund - Facilitating Technological Innovation 
Working hand-in-hand with the government, the Innovation Fund aims to improve the lives of South Africans by helping anyone with ideas for technological innovation to enter the business world and contribute to its positive growth. This exciting initiative from the Department of Science and Technology was set up in 1999 and is managed by the National Research Foundation. The Innovation Fund is mandated to promote technological innovation through investing in late - stage research and development, Intellectual Property protection and commercialisation of novel and inventive South African technologies.
I have an
I want to protect my idea
I'm building my prototype
I'm ready to go to market
Downloads & ResourcesThe National Innovation Competition
Gone are the days when leaving varsity meant joining a mega company and beginning the slow, soul-sapping climb from mailroom to boardroom. The path to success no longer lies up a rickety corporate ladder. Instead, it's stretched out on a highway of sparkling opportunities, with your genius ideas serving as the vehicles to get you there.
Experience Innovation
Talking Innovation - Videos & Podcasts
Interview with Mark Shuttleworth : Born and raised in South Africa, Mark has become one of the most inspirational South Africans of our decade. Find out more in a personal one to one interview...
Patent Support Fund - Featured Fund
Intellectual Property protection can be a complicated process and many entrepreneurs have no idea how to patent ideas. Patent Support Funds from the Innovation Fund are instruments targeted at techno-entrepreneurs, small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and research institutions to assist them by absorbing some of the costs of protecting their Intellectual Property.
Select the section about invention patents that is relevant to your needs: