The event was opened by the CEO of Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Barlow Manilal. TIA primarily funds and nurtures South Africa's technology innovations to support the creation of new industries, create sustainable jobs and improve quality of lives.
"TIA's partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in this initiative has demonstrated thought leadership by anticipating the relevance of the Cleantech sector and its potential economic and social impact in South Africa and indeed Africa," said Manilal.
"Enabling dynamic SMEs in developing countries and emerging economies to fully access national and global markets is crucial for job creation, women's empowerment, innovation, and overall economic development," said Gerswynn Mckuur, national programme manager for GCIP South Africa.
The Minister of Science & Technology, Naledi Pandor, highlighted that since 2010 TIA has supported more than 8,130 small and medium enterprises in accelerating technical innovation through technology development. "The impact of the support to SMEs has resulted in significant improvement in technical skills, product quality, productivity, cost-savings, energy efficiency, waste management and most important of all employment creation."
First place was awarded to Khaya Power, showcasing their unique micro-gasifier stove design that gasifies the solid fuel used and then burns it like a gas fire. The emissions meet the highest standards for stoves and are safe to use indoors.
The runner-up awards were presented to Carbotect, which is a colour-based diagnostic aid used to verify the quality and safety of liquid consumer products; and to Green Tower, which has developed a patented hybrid solar heat pump for domestic hot water, utilising energy and water efficiently.
The Most Promising Youth Led business award was presented to Solar Veranda, whereas The Best Women Led business in the programme was won by the ZingCO electric vehicle project. Zuka received the accolade for Innovation for Social Impact for their product which employs vermi-composting biotechnology that helps nourish the soil.
