DESIGNING AN INNOVATION HUB IN ETHEKWINI

Client
WORLD BANK
Faculty
Paul Smoke
Team
Bojan Francuz, Akosua Serwaa Frimpong, Mahima Sharda, Nursultan Suleimenov

The World Bank Group’s Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation Global Practice recognizes the essential role that local governments play in building inclusive, healthy, resilient, and sustainable cities. The World Bank enlisted a Capstone team to assist in the conceptualization and design of an Innovation Hub in eThekwini (Durban), South Africa. This Hub will be a physical space for businesses and partners in the local innovation ecosystem to collaborate on private-sector efforts that address economic opportunities and social challenges. The team consulted with local stakeholders and researched municipalities with relevant comparable characteristics that have created and successfully managed innovation hubs. The team presented the client with high-level concept notes based on their findings, outlining potential vision, goals, key objectives, and partnerships, along with recommendations for sustainable management and operation of the Hub.

Capstone Year