What we do

The Nelson Mandela University Innovation Office is committed to changing the world by actively driving innovation in our city, region and nation. We nurture innovation, foster creativity, embrace technology, and develop people to meet the challenges of the world of tomorrow.

The Innovation Office assists researchers with innovation support (grant and contract management; proposal and business plan development; prototype and proof of concept funding) and technology transfer (intellectual property management and commercialisation).

Key activities

The Innovation Office activity:

• Technology Transfer:
  • Intellectual Property: The department conducts intellectual property awareness courses and short presentations with researchers and post graduates; provides guidance to researchers on the thinking process of innovation while conducting research; and encourages researchers to disclose their inventions.
  • IP identification and protection: The department ensures that protectable innovations generated Nelson Mandela University researchers acquire the appropriate protection.
  • IP management: The department monitors and manages the Nelson Mandela University’s IP portfolio and is responsible for the administration of the IP Policy. Inventors are actively engaged in the process of progressing IP towards registration and commercialisation.
  • IP commercialisation: The department facilitates the license or assignment of the Nelson Mandela University’s IP to the university’s wholly owned commercialisation company, Innovolve (Pty) Ltd.

Contact Us

Innovation Office
Tel: +27 41 504 4309
E-mail: innovation@mandela.ac.za