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Delivering Value for Money: The THENSA Venture Builder Model
Despite meaningful progress in addressing historical inequalities across South Africa’s public universities, systemic exclusion, marginalisation and structural disparities persist. Universities of Technology (UoTs), in particular, continue to lag behind in developing robust technology innovation platforms. This has constrained the commercialisation of research outcomes, resulting in smaller innovation portfolios and comparatively lower investment in Research and Development (R&D) than more established institutions. Limited funding access further entrenches disparities in innovation capacity across the higher education sector.
To respond to this challenge, RISA supported the exploration of a Venture Builder (VB) model as a structured mechanism to accelerate technology innovation and commercialisation within UoTs. The Venture Builder approach offers a coordinated platform through which research from publicly funded institutions can be translated into market-ready solutions. Importantly, the formation of a multi-institutional Venture Builder model had not previously been tested in the South African context.
Through this initiative, RISA partnered with the Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) — a consortium of technology-focused universities — working alongside Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to design and operationalise the Venture Builder platform.
The model aims to strengthen UoTs’ engagement with South Africa’s National System of Innovation (NSI), enabling structured collaboration with innovation ecosystem stakeholders. By leveraging a shared Venture Builder platform, participating institutions can co-develop implementation structures, formalise partnerships, and establish quality assurance frameworks that enhance innovation outcomes and long-term sustainability.
The initiative adopted participatory, learning-centred approaches to support collaborative decision-making and inclusive governance. Key achievements to date include:
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Development of a comprehensive stakeholder map
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Delivery of five partner engagement workshops
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Establishment of standard operating procedures
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Creation of a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Action Plan
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Production of marketing materials, including articles and a promotional video, to strengthen visibility and stakeholder engagement
By pioneering a collaborative Venture Builder model, the initiative demonstrates how coordinated institutional action can deliver value for money in innovation. It provides a scalable pathway for strengthening South Africa’s Deep Tech ecosystem and enhancing the global competitiveness of its technology innovation sector.