Sometimes positive news comes along Prof Klaasen indeed I am proud with your achievement. Congratulations to the team.It starts of in believing in an idea Dear Step-Up Thank you for participating in the 2013 Step-Up Technology Innovation Competition, sponsored by Sasol and the Technology Innovation Agency. We were thrilled to have received over 400 entries to the competition in its pilot year. As with all competitions, not all entries could make it to the final stages of the competition. Up to 4 panel expert sector judges from our sponsors and partners screened and evaluated each entry, with the top entries being determined by the averaged scores from sector judges. Evaluations were based on the quality and relevance of each entry’s technology innovation, as well as its commercial potential and scalability. The finalists, runners-up and winners were announced at a special awards ceremony at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria on 21 November 2013. Finalists profiles, videos and photos will be posted on the website step-up.org.za, shortly. The winners in the 7 industry sectors of the Step-Up Technology Innovation competition are: 1. ICT: Duran and Alexa de Villiers (Steadidrone), who design aerial vehicles specialising in advanced aerial photography, HD filming and aerial imaging platforms for the commercial, industrial and film industries. 2. Chemicals: Jeremy Klaasen (Kraalbos Bio-Health Products) is developing a unique, multifunctional cosmetic ingredient that delivers herbal attributes to personal care products as well as a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. 3. Mining and manufacturing: Ismael Hassen and Rashaad Musa (CSR-Africa Tank Repairs) designed Bitu-Box, a mobile storage or transport unit for bulk bitumen with an integrated heating system that offers advantages over the conventional drum. This design has a life span of seven years versus drums that can only be used once-off, allows for faster depot turnaround times with less labour, and eliminates environmental air pollution. 4. Energy: Bryan Anderson and Jacques Verwey (Delta Steam Systems) developed the Delta Venturi Steam Trap, a technologically advanced device that is able to remove water from a steam system, while keeping the high-pressure steam in the system, without the use of moving parts. 5. Health and biotechnology: Drew van der Riet (Advanced Affordable Prosthetics) and Xoliswa Malinga and Malegola Mohlala (BB Unbraid Spray) were joint winners. Van der Riet presented a concept that brings the latest innovations in research to the field of upper limb electromyography prosthetics, for example restoring the sense of touch to the wearer of the prosthesis. Malinga and Mohlala developed Unbraid Spray that biochemically breaks down the synthetic polymer used to manufacture artificial hair used for braiding of hair, allowing braids to be rapidly detached from natural hair. 6. Green environment: Michael Suttner (Interloop Global) presented The Lightie, an efficient patent-pending test-tube shaped solar-powered light bulb that has been designed to fit into a standard PET soda bottle, converting the bottle into a multifunctional solar-powered lantern or task light. 7. Food and agriculture: Amelia Rampersad (Bio Research and Development) presented Flypot, a flytrap equipped with special bio-engineered bait designed to attract fly species common in agricultural areas. The trap has a sealable mechanism for hygienic disposal. Step-Up is a niche, innovation-specific competition catering for the many creative and innovative people and groups in South Africa. Whilst many wonderful technology ideas were received, our judges focused on the quality of the entries that were adjudicated. They have provided us with valuable feedback as to why many were unsuccessful. Our vision is for Step-Up to become a national programme that continues to uncover and support promising technology innovation ideas and related early-stage businesses. With the learnings from the 2013 pilot, we are confident that 2014 will be that much bigger and better! See you next year! Best wishes The Step-Up Team
Posted on: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:11:10 +0000
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