Science- and Engineering-based businesses are in great demand. There are many funds and contacts where you can have your idea assessed to see if it can be developed. Find out about the engineering, manufacturing and product development sector using the list of key resources and contacts if you are interested in starting up an engineering- or research and development business.

1. ENGINEERING DIRECTORY
2. GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES IN INNOVATION
3. SOUTH AFRICAN BUREAU OF STANDARDS (SABS)
4. COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (CSIR)

EngNet is an engineering directory, buyer's guide and search engine. Designed by engineers to benefit the engineering industry, EngNet enables you to source engineering products, services and companies, and research an expanding field.

www.engnet.co.za

The SPII Programme or Support Programme for Industrial Innovation is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and administered by the Industrial Development Corporation.

SPII is part of a series of innovation support measures for South African industry, the most important of these being:

• Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) - administered by the National Research Foundation. THRIP supports research and development in the industry with partners from the research, academic and industrial fields, to improve the quality of the products, services and people of participant companies. It does this by providing resources and a framework for collaboration in science, engineering and technology. One of the many success stories of this programme is the invention by a small business which now has a fully researched and accepted product on the market: a special camera which checks for errors on production lines using optical technology.

• Innovation Fund - administered by Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. This fund has its focus on appropriate projects requiring funding of between one and five million Rand. The projects are for larger, two to three-year collaborative projects aimed at technological innovation. The Innovation Fund is not designed to support micro-projects that could be funded through other programmes like Thrip.

Contact details:

SPII
19 Fredman Drive, Sandown, South Africa
PO Box 784055, Sandton, 2146, South Africa.
Tel: 011 269 3073
Fax: 011 269 3126
E-mail: spii@idc.co.za
Website: www.spii.co.za

Thrip
PO Box 2600, Pretoria 0001
Tel: 012 481 4078
Fax: 012 481 4197
Email: thrip@nrf.ac.za
Website: www.nrf.ac.za/thrip/

Find out about how the SABS aims to improve the quality of South African products and services.

www.sabs.co.za

The CSIR is South Africa's largest science and technology research organisation. It describes itself as the technology partner to the people of South Africa.

Its aim is to improve the lives of South Africans through research. There are 8 research divisions focusing on a broad range of technologies, such as aeronautical systems, building, communication, development, food, information, infrastructure, manufacturing, materials, mining, textiles and the environment.

www.csir.co.za