Inhlanyelo Hub - planting an entrepreneurial ecosystem seed at Unisa

The economies of the world, particularly those of emerging regions, are experiencing an increase in unemployment due to dwindling employment opportunities; therefore, enterprise development is required to create more jobs.

Prof Raphael Mpofu, Interim CEO, Inhlanyelo Hub

"There is a need for a solution that not only encourages creativity but also capitalises newly generated ideas and mentors them into business units that can compete and add value to investors and customers," says Professor Raphael Mpofu, the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Inhlanyelo Hub, a subsidiary of the University of South Africa (Unisa).

Inhlanyelo Hub NPC has been established in response to the Department of Higher Education and Training programme, Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE).

The people-focused EDHE Programme's goals are student entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship development in academia and developing entrepreneurial universities. "The programme is intended to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of students, academics and leaders."

Unisa is entirely in line with this new initiative. "The principles of lifelong learning, student centredness, innovation and creativity guide us. Our efforts contribute to the knowledge and information society, advance development, nurture a critical citizenry and ensure global sustainability," says Mpofu.

Inhlanyelo Hub seeks to encourage, grow, and support entrepreneurship and self-employment amongst Unisa students, academics, staff, and alumni by leveraging the Unisa ecosystem to connect them to business support, market opportunities and funding.

Cultivate entrepreneurial talent among youth!

The solution of Inhlanyelo Hub is to cultivate entrepreneurial talent among youth. As a result, Inhlanyelo Hub was established to assist those with innovative ideas in bringing them to fruition, particularly in using technology to address societal issues.

"Young people can establish their businesses in our incubator and bring their ideas to life. Moreover, this arrangement provides them with the necessary support, as they require access to labs and maker spaces, the latest technologies, business support, coaching, and mentoring during the start-up phase," says Mpofu.  

Inhlanyelo Hub will also connect entrepreneurs with investors and venture capitalists and facilitate market development to capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in particular.

Read more from the desk of the CEO:  Inhlanyelo-Hub-newsletter-26January2023.pdf (unisa.ac.za)

For more information on the Inhlanyalo Hub, visit their website: https://inhlanyelohub.com/en/

Compiled by: Mpho Moloele, PR and Communications, Department of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation