Innovation Fund Commercialisation Office

The Innovation Fund Commercialisation Office (IFCO) has as its mission the facilitation of the steps required to take a novel South African technology product or service to the market. IFCO plays a key role in supporting research and development funding programmes by assessing each project to estimate its potential impact. The team of venture capitalist consultants also assists in negotiating the investment structures of these projects and guides the development of the commercialisation strategy to be implemented during its course. In all these activities, our dedicated team strives to maximise the economic and social outcomes of an Innovation Fund investment. In addition IFCO manages the Seed Fund, an instrument aimed at facilitating the journey between research and development and functioning capital markets.

This team of venture capitalist consultants includes:

• Senior Commercialisation Manager: Duncan Raftesath.
• Administrative Officer: Tania Web.
• Commercialisation Manager: Olympus Manthatha.
• Commercialisation Manager: Niam Rassool.
• Seed Fund Manager: Ela Romanowska.
• Tech, Promotions Manager: Jean Pierre Kloppers.
• Administrative Officer: Vacant.
• Commercialisation Manager: Iodien Rensburg.
• Commercialisation Manager: Sibusiso Manana.
• Research Analyst: Innocent Siziba.
• CHUMA Candidate Commercialisation Manager: Dr Muhammed Sayed.
• CHUMA Candidate Commercialisation Manager: Dr Mkhetwa Maluleke.
• CHUMA Candidates: Phineas Thosago.