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Our Programs
The Innovation and Research Commercialisation Agency (IRCA) has spent over a decade helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into sustainable enterprises across multiple sectors including health, agriculture, mining, water and technology.
From concept to market, our ecosystem provides mentorship, strategic guidance, and operational support that enable innovators to build resilient, impactful ventures.
what we offer
Business Shaped Solutions
We are specialists in both economics and information technologies and we apply our full range of talent to creating the perfect solution for each client’s needs.
Business Consultations
marketing strategy
advanced analytic
enterprise technology
partnership system
business innovation
Innovation & Research Commercialisation
We collaborate with funders, entrepreneurship ecosystem builders, research and academic institutions (TTO’s) on an innovative venture incubation model, commercialising intellectual property and licensing it to the new venture which is then led by a selected local entrepreneur to take to market.
We take concepts and IP through a rigorous program designed to build, test, capacitate, validate and launch new ventures that will take the concepts to market for product market fit ensuring the protection and local financial beneficiation of publicly financed IP and create new industries that boost economic growth in Southern Africa.
Youth, Student & Community Entrepreneurship Development
We have been providing mentorship and coaching support for all 26 universities and TVET Collages in South Africa in partnership with the University of Limpopo, DUT Innobiz, BASA, SAB Foundation & The Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) program for over 5 years.
This has embedded our organization in the fabric of youth entrepreneurship in SA through partnering with universities, incubators and research institutions to support & develop youth entrepreneurs. These are just some of the projects we have spearheaded.
Green Innovation & The Circular Economy
We work with a varous organisations and programs like the SAB Foundation, YGap, Nedbank Greenhouse and more who align in our commitment for sustainable living through alternative energy, food security, land and ocean biodiversity, recycling and upcycling.
Some of the prjects we havecommercialised includes a sanitation ptoject converting unrine and fecal matter into fertiliser, biodiesel made from caster seeds, crop optimisation software for farmers, algie used as a food source for fish farmers and liquid fertiliser made from chicken waste.
Tech Innovation & Support
To create a thriving environment for tech start ups, we focus on the following interventions.
- Infrastructure – We prioritise innovation in internet, electricity, and mobile access.
- Education & Skills We Promote STEM education through our Syafunda Digital Libraries.
- Collaboration – We partner with incubators, host hackathons in universities, and local innovator hubs.
- Emerging Tech – We invest in AI, blockchain, IoT, and fintech solutions.
- Digital Inclusion – We empower marginalized communities and develop local solutions
Sustaining Business With Purpose
We believe in Social Entrepreneurship as a Force For Good and work with various programs and partners like the SAB Foundation through the Social Innovation and Disability Awards, EDHE Social Innovartion Competition and YGap Social Entrepreneurship Program.
We support social entrepreneurs in multiple sectors to ensure not only greater and more sustainable implact but also financial viability and sustainability. We believe in lowering the barries so that people closest to the problems are empowered with the resources to develop innovative solutions.
Commercialising Research & IP
Our mission is to develop a viable ecosystem of commercialising research that will support & expand to other research and academic institutions to bridge the gap between research-based IP, private sector funding and entrepreneurship while also providing an extra layer of protection and capacity is allocated to better support the spinoff ventures.
Through our parterships with EDHE, South African Universities and CSIR we ensure continued benefit sharing not only for the investor but also the institutions and funders contributing to any product and spinoff venture that is developed down the line generating revenue for further research, organisational growth and sustainability.
our benefits
Few Reasons Why You Should Choose Us
We seamlessly merge two key components – economics and information technology.
what we offer
Our Business Philosophy
We are specialists in both economics and information technologies and we apply our full range of talent to creating the perfect solution for each client’s needs.
Our Mission
To be the Africa's Innovation Catalyist
Our Vision
Partnerships are important so we're here to support you for the long term. We're never judgmental because we understand on a human level.
Our Values
Partnerships are important so we're here to support you for the long term. We're never judgmental because we understand on a human level.
150
+ Years of Experience
2500
+ Ventures Supported
360
+ Entrepreneurship Programs
170
+