A business park with a purpose
Technopark is a vibrant technology park located just outside of Stellenbosch. It is not only the beautiful lush surroundings that makes this office park a key destination for some of South Africa’s most forward thinking companies. Technopark is built on the foundation of purpose, a vision of innovation with a key focus on sustainability. Find out more about us below.
The Technopark SRA’s goals are to:
The Technopark Special Ratings Area (SRA) is a Non Profit Organisation (NPO) voted into existence during 2015. In collaboration with the municipality we take care of improved management of Technopark and general improvement of the facilities in Technopark, which will ultimately increase value for property owners and attract tenants of a high caliber.
The Technopark SRA’s goals are to:
Improve the property values of Technopark.
Improve the marketing and image of Technopark as a top business address.
Provide events and public gatherings to enhance community interaction and engagement through the Technopark Business Forum.
Improve the traffic flow in and out of Technopark.
Waste and recycling management.
Drive a campaign for a second road entrance to Technopark.
Improve parking conditions and supply infrastructure for parking.
Improve the safety and security of Technopark.
Improve public areas, parks and gardens.
General Maintenance of Technopark.
History
1970's
Technopark’s history as a leading South African business location is grounded in the late 1970’s when Prof Christo Viljoen, then vice-dean of the Engineering faculty at Stellenbosch University, visited Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan. Impressed by Hsinchu’s innovative approach, Prof Viljoen brought the concept back to Stellenbosch and managed to obtain buy-in from the local and national government to establish a similar venture.
1980's
Supported by the then Industrial Development Corporation, Technopark was established in 1985 and housed an incubator as well as an innovation lab. The park was managed by a committee and the local municipality. Uptake of firms into the park was very slow at first due to the strict criteria of acceptance, a poor community understanding of the concept and the benefit of a science park, as well as as an economic slowdown which forced the management to allow it to become market-oriented in the 1990’s.
1990's
Since the 1990’s, Technopark Stellenbosch has become a prime business location for leading South African companies in areas of technology, innovation and sustainability. The Stellenbosch business park attracts some of the top brands in South Africa who work in close proximity to one another in the majestic surrounds of the Cape Winelands.
2015
In 2015, the Technopark Special Ratings Area (SRA) was established as a Non Profit Organisation (NPO) who, in collaboration with the Stellenbosch Municipality, take care of the management of Technopark, its marketing, as well as the improvement of Technopark’s facilities. The ultimate goal has shifted towards improving the value for property in Technopark, attracting high calibre tenants and establishing a community feeling.
1970's
Technopark’s history as a leading South African business location is grounded in the late 1970’s when Prof Christo Viljoen, then vice-dean of the Engineering faculty at Stellenbosch University, visited Hsinchu Science Park in Taiwan. Impressed by Hsinchu’s innovative approach, Prof Viljoen brought the concept back to Stellenbosch and managed to obtain buy-in from the local and national government to establish a similar venture.
1980's
Supported by the then Industrial Development Corporation, Technopark was established in 1985 and housed an incubator as well as an innovation lab. The park was managed by a committee and the local municipality. Uptake of firms into the park was very slow at first due to the strict criteria of acceptance, a poor community understanding of the concept and the benefit of a science park, as well as as an economic slowdown which forced the management to allow it to become market-oriented in the 1990’s.
1990's
Since the 1990’s, Technopark Stellenbosch has become a prime business location for leading South African companies in areas of technology, innovation and sustainability. The Stellenbosch business park attracts some of the top brands in South Africa who work in close proximity to one another in the majestic surrounds of the Cape Winelands.
2015
In 2015, the Technopark Special Ratings Area (SRA) was established as a Non Profit Organisation (NPO) who, in collaboration with the Stellenbosch Municipality, take care of the management of Technopark, its marketing, as well as the improvement of Technopark’s facilities. The ultimate goal has shifted towards improving the value for property in Technopark, attracting high calibre tenants and establishing a community feeling.
Future Vision
The official vision of the Technopark SRA is “to enable and create a sustainable, vibrant and active innovative community [by 2015]”.
This vision was agreed upon over a series of workshops that included a wide variety of stakeholders. The vision is complex and touches on several elements, including:
- Social elements, such as leadership and management and social innovation;
- Technical elements, such as design and technological innovation;
- Ecological elements, such as resource flows, education; and
- Economic elements, such as regional economic benefits.
Future Mission
Since 2015, the Technopark SRA has sought to transform Techno Park into a Sustainable Innovation Hub. The aim is to house a vibrant sustainable innovation community and cultural hub, which provides knowledge and expertise for sustainable futures locally, nationally and globally.
Transformation is the key ingredient in achieving this official mandate, built on three levels:
1. The greening and sustainable development of Techno Park.
2. The Mandate of Technopark as a Sustainable Innovation Hub (Supported by a constitution and accommodated by rezoning adjustments).
3. The Technopark collaboration defined through a transparent and mutually beneficial mode of agreement established with the University of Stellenbosch, Cape Higher Education Consortium and the local and provincial Government of the Western Cape (The Collaborative Framework).
