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Register Now: Intellectual Property for Innovators Workshop
Protecting Ideas. Enabling Innovation. Unlocking Commercialisation.
The Northern Cape Innovation Forum (NCIF) is pleased to invite innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, tech-based MSMEs and technology developers to participate in the upcoming Intellectual Property for Innovators Workshop, a practical capacity-building session designed to strengthen Intellectual Property (IP) awareness and commercialisation readiness across the Northern Cape.
Presented in collaboration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), this workshop forms part of NCIF’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the provincial innovation ecosystem by equipping innovators with the knowledge and tools required to protect, manage and maximise the value of their innovations.
Whether you are developing a new product, service, technology, process or business idea, understanding Intellectual Property is essential to safeguarding your innovation and preparing it for commercialisation.
Workshop Details
Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Time: 08:30 – 13:00
In-Person Participation Venues
Upington
NCIF Office
11 Toekoms Street, Upington, 8801
Kimberley
Galeshewe SMME Village (mLab)
Barkly West
One Stop Shop
2352 Morape Street
Mataleng Location, Barkly West
Okiep
Namakwa Digital Hub
Northern Cape Rural TVET College, Okiep
Virtual Participation
Microsoft Teams (NCIF Intellectual Property for Innovators Workshop | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams
)
What You Will Learn
Participants will gain practical knowledge on:
- Introduction to Intellectual Property and its importance for innovators
- Prior art searches and innovation validation
- Understanding novelty and differentiating innovations
- Intellectual Property protection strategies for early-stage innovators
- Protecting ideas before pitching, competitions, funding applications or public disclosure
- Risks associated with premature disclosure
- Practical measures for safeguarding Intellectual Property
- Filing considerations and timing
- Intellectual Property considerations when engaging with funders, incubators and collaborators
- Commercialisation readiness and strategic Intellectual Property management
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is ideal for:
- Innovators
- Entrepreneurs
- Researchers
- Students
- Start-ups
- Tech-based MSMEs
- Technology developers
- Inventors
- Creatives
- Innovation support practitioners
- Anyone developing a new idea, product, process or service
Why Attend?
Intellectual Property is one of the most valuable assets an innovator can own. Understanding how to protect your ideas before sharing them with potential partners, investors, funders or customers can significantly improve your chances of successfully commercialising your innovation.
This workshop will provide practical guidance from national experts while creating an opportunity to engage directly with organisations responsible for Intellectual Property support and management in South Africa.
Registration
Participation is FREE, but registration is compulsory.
Register online using the link below:
https://forms.gle/NMXXUESgHuQekWMZ8
Alternatively, scan the QR code provided on the official workshop poster.
Contact Us
Northern Cape Innovation Forum (NCIF)
Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Learning (CENTIL)
Sol Plaatje University
📧 Email: ncif@spu.ac.za
📞 Telephone: 054 332 1330 / 053 491 0822
🌐 Website: www.ncif.co.za
The Northern Cape Innovation Forum (NCIF) is an initiative of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), co-funded by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT), managed by the CSIR Regional Innovation Support Programme Project Management Unit (RISP PMU), and hosted by the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Learning (CENTIL) at Sol Plaatje University.
We look forward to welcoming you as we continue increasing the spatial footprint of innovation across the Northern Cape.
