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The Eastern Cape Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week ended with a strong celebration of youth talent and creativity. The event took place at the ELIDZ Science and Technology Park.
The programme brought together students, young entrepreneurs, and researchers from across the province. They competed in two major events: the Eastern Cape Innovation Challenge and the 48-Hour Hackathon. Both competitions focused on solving real problems in agriculture, the digital economy, automotive technology, sustainable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters officially launched IEW 2025. Her message outlined the importance of innovation in creating jobs and strengthening the provincial economy.
Province-Wide Participation and Global Collaboration
Teams travelled from East London, Bisho, Mthatha, and several rural districts to take part. The event also attracted global partners. TusHoldings from China and Technopark Ankara from Turkey shared expertise and opened doors for future collaboration.
Young innovators worked under pressure to design solutions that fit real community needs. Judges noted a strong rise in socially impactful ideas focused on access to information, renewable energy, and digital tools for small businesses.
One standout project was the Eastern Cape Youth Information Portal. The team behind it aims to make opportunities easier to access for young people across the province. Their solution earned high praise for practicality and scale.
Over R1.5 Million in Support for Winning Teams
Winning teams received more than R1.5 million in combined support. This includes incubation, mentorship, prototype development, and guidance on entering the market. Organisers say the goal is to help ideas grow into businesses that can create jobs.
The ELIDZ Science and Technology Park confirmed that long-term mentorship will continue after the event. The aim is to ensure that young innovators gain access to networks, investors, and advanced technical facilities.
IEW 2025 positioned the Eastern Cape as a growing hub for youth innovation. Officials say this momentum shows the province’s commitment to building a stronger skills pipeline and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
