Change the world

The Innovation Office staff members are well qualified and come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Many have scientific postgraduate degrees and commercial qualifications. Industry experience ranges from running small start-ups to senior positions in major companies.

We have found that this combination of scientific training alongside industry experience provides optimum technology transfer capability.

The Innovation Office works alongside Nelson Mandela University academics to identify, protect, and commercialise intellectual property where appropriate. Your Innovation Manager will work with you each step of the way from invention disclosure to the execution of a commercial deal.
Success comes in many forms. The latest technologies and spin-outs can be viewed on the website of Nelson Mandela University’s commercialisation company, Innovolve.
The Innovation Office:
• provides researchers with commercial advice
• funds patent applications and legal costs
• negotiates licence, consultancy and spin-out company agreements
• protects you from legal and financial risk
• industry and government networks
The Innovation Office pays for all the costs, provides all the support, and you get a share of the money on the successful projects. You pay none of the costs of the unsuccessful ones.

Nelson Mandela University’s Intellectual Property policy complies with the provisions of the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 2008 (Act No. 51 of 2008) Under the IP Act of 2008, the Nelson Mandela University must develop and implement policies and procedures regarding the disclosure, protection, management and exploitation of intellectual property developed using public funds. It also complies with the Policy on Copyright (IRC number 110.02) and Code of Conduct for Researchers at Nelson Mandela University (IRC 404.01). The policy document can be viewed here.