Technology Innovation Agency

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Technology Innovation Agency Institutional Review
Report
Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on
Science and Technology Date 18 September 20113
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Presentation Outline
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Background
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Background cont.

• In TIAs case, and as recommended by the
  Ministerial Review Committee, the Minister
  decided to initiate the first review to be of a
  developmental and formative nature and to
  consider both the fitness for purpose of TIA
  operations and the fitness for purpose of the TIA
  in the national system of innovation.
• In November 2012, the Minister appointed a panel
  to conduct an external institutional review of
  the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).

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The Review Panel

• The Review Panel comprised
• Dr Khotso Mokhele (Chairperson)
• Ms Nasima Badsha, CEO of Cape Higher Education
  Consortium
• Dr Tarmo Lemola, Director Advansis Ltd.,
  Finland
• Ms Khungeka Njobe, ex Managing Director of Aveng
  Water
• Mr Cas Coovadia, Managing Director of Banking
  Association of SA

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Purpose of the TIA Review

• .. to reflect on the establishment and
  operations of the Agency in order to
  independently assess the strengths and
  weaknesses. This will be based on the Agencys
  current strategic plans and performance since its
  inception in 2008. The integration of the
  Biotechnology Research and Innovation Centres
  (BRICS) into TIA will be of particular
  relevance..

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Scope of the Review

• The original motivation for the establishment of
  TIA was to address the challenge of the low level
  of commercialisation of promising ideas that
  emerge in South Africa, particularly from
  universities and publicly-funded research
  organisations. The review panel is required to
  assess whether the organisational structures,
  policies and programmes of the TIA are fit for
  this purpose.

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Scope of the Review cont.

• The TIA's support for taking ideas to early
  commercialisation and successes and challenges
  that have been faced in preparing initiatives for
  full commercialisation. This includes
  risk-funding applications from entities which
  require commercialisation support as well as
  funding support from investors active in late
  stage commercialisation.

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Scope of the Review cont.

• The contribution that the TIA has made in
  supporting universities and publicly-funded
  research organisations in creating a culture that
  supports the commercialisation of their
  intellectual property.

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Scope of the Review cont.

• Evaluate the investment decision-making processes
  of TIA (including the inclusion of knowledgeable
  experts and potential partners in the process) as
  well as the adequacy and effectiveness of the
  performance monitoring systems of TIA. This could
  include comparisons with similar public
  institutions such as TEKES, the Finnish Institute
  for Technology and Innovation.

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Scope of the Review cont.

• Assess the progress made with the consolidation
  of various entities/programmes transferred to the
  TIA on its establishment including a review of
  how TIA dealt with the various initiatives and
  projects that it inherited, taking into account
  the primary purpose for which TIA was
  established.
• The Review Panel may include any other areas that
  are relevant to the intentions of this review.

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Briefings and Presentations

• Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Technology Innovation Agency (Board and the
  Executive)
• National Intellectual Property Management Office
  (NIPMO)

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Stakeholder Interviews

• Science councils, funding entities and other
  statutory entities in the National System of
  Innovation (NSI)
• Government Departments
• Higher education representatives
• Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs)
• Former Heads of BRICS
• Former Innovation Fund leadership

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Stakeholder Interviews

• Interim CEO of the TIA
• Technology Station Managers
• Successful applicants to the TIA
• Unsuccessful applicants to the TIA
• Private Sector, including the Venture Capital
  industry representatives

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Recommendations
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Recommendation 1
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Recommendation 2
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Recommendation 2 (cont)
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Recommendation 3
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Recommendation 3 cont.
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Recommendation 4
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Recommendation 5
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Recommendation 6
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Recommendation 7
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Recommendation 8
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Recommendation 9
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Recommendation 9 cont.
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Recommendation 9 cont.
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Recommendation 9 cont.
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Recommendation 9 cont.
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Recommendation 9 cont.
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Recommendation 10
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Recommendation 11
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Recommendation 12
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Recommendation 12 cont.
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Way forward
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• THANK YOU