Science Parks

A Reality or Myth for South Africa?

by
Neville Comins

17 February 2010
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 History of Science Parks and Technoparks
in South Africa
ƒ A number of early projects developed but did not achieve the
objectives set and expectations
ƒ Pre-1990, perceptions of STPs were generally negative but:
ƒ Stakeholders involved in the developments often did not have a clear
understanding of key success factors for STPs.
ƒ The level of commercialisation from our R&D base was limited
ƒ Fragmentation of the system of innovation, lacking collaboration
ƒ Lack of understanding of “What makes STPs work?” and what does it
take to manage a successful park
ƒ Lack of understanding of structured support necessary for development
of sustainable technology-based SMEs.
 Why did this happen?
• Too much focus on the ‘real estate’ and almost no
attention to the ‘animation’ or ‘value-added services
• Over expectation, not realising how long it takes to
develop a science park and the funding this may require
• Lack of local examples and role models
• Not examining international benchmarks and learning
best practice
• Not choosing a dedicated management team with the
right spirit, expertise and personalities
• Simply putting them in the wrong place 3
 The ‘New Generation’
• Much better understanding of how to involve the
correct stakeholders
– Much more attention to establishing shared and
documented objectives
– Doing the required homework:
• Understanding the STP’s future market and business culture
• Understanding the local economy and support structures
• Investigating the true potential for R&D or business spin-outs
and commercialisation
• Assessing the entrepreneurial culture of the environment
• Choosing the right location 4
 The New Generation (Cont.)
• Examining the STP’s “Value Proposition”
– What offerings does this market and type of
business require?
– What will attract your chosen candidates?
– What can you afford to deliver?
– With whom can you partner?
• It takes Championship to succeed
– Not for the light hearted!! 5
 Where to Focus?
• Success is not a ‘right’, as in any business
• Have good entry criteria.
– Choose the right types of tenants
• Don’t be in a great hurry and regret later.
• Understand and listen to your tenants
– They evaluate the offerings of the STP in real time
– They are your best (or worst) ‘marketing agents’
– Build a multi-helix community around the park
– Many projects start well, but forget who is important 6
 The Focus Going Forward
• A Science Park model can add great value in the
African context
– It must, however, adapt to the local dynamics
– No two parks are the same. Learn but don’t copy.
• The Innovation System needs such neutral
facilitators to support innovation and collaboration
• An STP can play a vital regional role if it can engage
correctly
• In the end, it depends so much on the people
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involved.
Thank You
nrc.innovate@mweb.co.za
www.cofisa.org.za

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 “Learning from the best”
A Science Park is an organisation managed by specialised
professionals, whose main aim is to increase the wealth of its
community by promoting the culture of innovation and the
competitiveness of its associated businesses and knowledge-
based institutions.
To enable these goals to be met, a Science Park stimulates and
manages the flow of knowledge and technology amongst
universities, R&D institutions, companies and markets; it
facilitates the creation and growth of innovation-based companies
through incubation and spin-off processes; and provides other
value-added services together with high quality space and
facilities.
IASP Definition April 2002

(The expression “Science Park” may be replaced in this definition by the expressions “Technology
Park”, “Technopole” or “Research Park”.) 9