pre-feasibility assessment report - Innovationeasterncape.co.za

African Development Economic ConsultantsADECspace. The goal is for incubating companies to “graduate” within a set periodinto their own company format (hopefully within the R&D Park).As noted previously, it would be recommended that a feasibility study beengaged to determine the appropriate use, format, funding, graduation rate,development, and operations for an incubator within the R&D Park that mayincorporate the Chemin model (or expand it to an Alternative Energy incubationsystem, or not). Ideally, the proposed 1,000 to 2,000 square-metre incubatorwould draw not only from the local/regional market but also from East London,throughout the Eastern Cape and nationally for a specific R&D activity. Thus,the incubator would operate without competing with other similar facilities andwould focus on the sole market base. 9Industry Recruitment Target OpportunitiesThe research activities of NMMU, CSIR, and associated institutions andcentres help to lay a foundation for marketing the R&D Park to attract privateindustrial research investment, product development, and R&D facilities. Anyproprietary relationships that can be created to commercialise institutionalresearch will greatly strengthen the marketability of the park as a location forindustrial investment. Based on an evolving understanding of the emergingscience, on the relationships established between area institutions andindustrial partners, and on successful R&D Park development, severalrecruitment “targets” are identified in Appendix A of this report as potentialprivate-sector collaborators and tenants in the R&D Park.Core R&D Areas. The core recruitment targets are focused inNanotechnologies, Chemicals, Photonics, Fibre/Composites, and AlternativeEnergy. Obviously, there is a great deal of overlap between these researchareas. There is the opportunity especially to recruit companies either specificallyengaged in development of nanotechnology products or those expanding theirexisting product line to incorporate nanotechnologies, because of the sheernumber of new and emerging companies engaged in this arena. There arecompanies in South Africa which would provide a primary target, coupled withbranches of international corporations that would have an interest in theregion’s particular strengths (including the HRTEM).Target Companies. Overall, companies engaged in the specific researchor product development areas mentioned above represent key targets for thepark. Such companies would either fund proprietary institutional research; enterinto contract consulting agreements; establish collaborative R&D centres; leasemulti-tenant buildings (for example, to access equipment and scientists); orpurchase land and build their own research, testing, or product developmentfacilities in the R&D Park. The target companies would take either the form ofLocal/Regional companies with existing operations or SA/Internationalcompanies without existing operations in the region.9 Photo of incubator courtesy Northern Arizona University (USA).103 Algernon Road, Norwood (Johannesburg). Tel (011)728-1965 / 6690 Fax (011)728-8371Adec@ADEC1.com. Suite 131, Private Bag X5, Norwood 2117 SOUTH AFRICA 92