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Industry experts convened at the University of Botswana’s UniPod on the 6th of May 2025, to brainstorm the establishment of a UB Technology Development Seed Fund. The initiative aims to support research and innovation while guiding the creation of a well-structured fund with clear investment criteria.

Speaking at the workshop, UB Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Doreen Ramogola-Masire said the UB Research and Innovation Strategy 2025 - 2030, envisaged the creation of a seed fund to invest in the development and commercialisation of university generated technologies.

She noted that the creation of a fund would effectively support early-stage tech start-ups, potentially leading to significant economic and societal benefits. Professor Ramogola-Masire said the fund would contribute to a vibrant tech ecosystem by providing mentorship, networking opportunities and access to resources, further supporting the growth of innovative start-ups.

She further highlighted that UB had clear four core pillars supporting research and innovation that included research excellence and impact to foster culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to strengthen collaboration and partnership. She added that the brainstorming process ensured that the seed fund invested in promising ventures, supported their development and contributed to a thriving tech ecosystem. 

Furthermore, Professor Masire noted that the fund was intended to develop a strategic portfolio of investment opportunities to foster deep high-tech and technology enabled entrepreneurial initiatives within the university ecosystem. She reckoned that it should create funding certainty for deep/high-tech developments particularly those that would serve to modernise the Botswana economy impacting productivity, addressing societal issues and embracing opportunities in areas such as clean energy and creative industries.

Professor Masire further stated that the fund was also intended to serve as a de-risking mechanism for subsequent investment, primarily through the provision of grants, alongside equity funding. She explained that support would target late stage research, prototype development, market feasibility studies and pre-seed funding, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial viability.

She said the initiative aligned with UB’s strategic mission to foster a knowledge-based economy and support innovation-driven growth in Botswana, transitioning from a resource-dependent economy to one anchored on technology and entrepreneurship