AMASU Technologies, a company incubated at The Innovation Hub’s BioPark@Gauteng, finds innovative solutions to global health problems. It developed rapid, point-of-care diagnostic devices for infectious diseases and with its original solutions and expertise, is able to reduce the cost of diagnostics by creating medical devices through new technology and local production.

Being a young entrepreneur comes with its challenges. “We have been taken less seriously because of our age, but as we convey the knowledge and expertise we have in the industry, and people see our passion, they start to believe in our products and  capabilities,” says Jared Mackenzie, CEO of AMASU Technologies. “The biggest advantage of being a young entrepreneur is that we get to influence other young entrepreneurs through our work. It’s often difficult for the youth to approach seasoned business professionals; however, obtaining advice from young, like-minded professionals inspires them to pursue their dreams too,” he said.

AMASU technologies has two goals that they would like to accomplish: to develop innovative devices that address local and global health problems, and to transform the biotechnology landscape of South Africa through consultation and education. “We believe that it is our responsibility to share our knowledge of the biotech space in South Africa” says Mackenzie.

AMASU is looking to recruit more talented youth this year to help with its business development. “Youth entrepreneurs bring an energy to the company that drives success and will be crucial for the growth of our business,” says Mackenzie.  

The Innovation Hub proudly incubates 287 young entrepreneurs and is involved with the youth through many different initiatives. Two of them include:          

·    The CoachLab programme: a youth skills development programme committed to the development of diverse skills in the ICT, engineering, green and media sectors. The aim of the programme is to instil business principals and the values of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking amongst the youth through mentorship by programme partners.

·   CodeTribe Academy: a full bursary programme that trains the youth how to develop for Android, backend and cloud using SCRUM agile methodologies and native software development kits.

“At The Innovation Hub, we pride ourselves on developing young minds. The CoachLab®, eKasilabs and CodeTribe programmes are some of the many initiatives through which we engage with the youth of South Africa,” says Advocate Pieter Holl, CEO of The Innovation Hub.

The Innovation Hub will host two youth-inspired virtual events. On 30 June, the event’s focus will be on economic inclusion of the youth. The purpose of this event is to empower entrepreneurs with tools and mechanisms to utilise their businesses to deal with the current global COVID-19 pandemic.

On 8 July 2021, Innov8’s theme will be youth voice and actions – building and growing South Africa together in the period of COVID-19 through digital transformation. Innov8 is a high-level networking platform hosted throughout the year as an open space for innovative leaders in industry, academia and government to engage in topics relevant to themes centred around entrepreneurship, skills and innovation.

“Working with the youth inspires us to think differently in an everchanging environment,” says Holl. “We are dedicated to helping the youth achieve their entrepreneurial goals through mentoring, education and support,” he adds.

For more information on The Innovation Hub, and to attend these events, please contact Linah Nematandani at lnematandani@theinnovationhub.com

012 8440030/ 071 673 9964 or visit www.theinnovationhub.com.