Marisa Naidoo

As Knowledge Transfer Manager – Global Alliance Africa, South Africa, I provide in-country support with the implementation of project level interventions such as Place-Based Innovation, Open Innovation, Strengthening the Investment Pipeline and Collaborative Research and Development.

I have been an innovation ecosystem development practitioner for close to a decade and am passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa. My work in skills and capacity development with various ecosystem players has helped bridge the innovation chasm between research and development from higher education institutions, science councils, public entities, and private sector, and commercialisation. My experience means I am well versed in discussions around the part that innovation plays in addressing Africa’s ever-changing societal, environmental and economic challenges, circular economy, the water sector and insights on South Africa’s innovation ecosystem and the commercialisation of innovation.

I am passionate about the innovation ecosystem of South Africa and enabling innovators on their journey to commercialisation. I believe that innovation is the key to unlocking many of the challenges currently faced in South Africa and globally, and I enjoy fruitful conversations on how the country can be apart of bridging the current gaps in the National System of Innovation to enable innovators to grow. I also have a particular interest in the Water, Waste, Agriculture and Energy sectors, as well as what we can do to enable Food and Water Security through innovation.

Please get in touch to discuss how we can partner to address some of the challenges faced by innovators in South Africa.