On February 4, 2026, Wits University hosted a high-level delegation of Technology Transfer Officers (TTOs) from across Africa. The visit, facilitated by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the British High Commission, positioned Wits as a premier model for how academic research can be successfully transformed into real-world commercial solutions.
Ranked first in the region for innovation performance, Wits demonstrated that effective technology transfer is about more than just filing patents—it’s about building a sustainable “Pathway to Impact.”
The Wits Innovation Pathway: A Holistic Ecosystem
Unlike traditional models that confine innovation to Science and Engineering, Wits has pioneered a multidisciplinary approach. Through the Wits Strategic Plan for Innovation (2022–2026), the university has dismantled internal silos to create a connected ecosystem involving the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC), the Research Office, and Wits Commercial Enterprise.
Key Pillars of the Wits Model:
- Proactive IP Management: The university actively “sunsets” (retires) patents that lack market traction, saving significant institutional costs and focusing resources on viable projects.
- Stakeholder Matchmaking: Wits Commercial Enterprise acts as a bridge, aligning university expertise with the specific needs of industry, government, and funders.
- End-to-End Support: The university provides a roadmap from the birth of an idea through to the launch and scaling of spin-out companies.
Measuring Success: The Innovation Readiness Levels (IRLs)
One of the most distinctive features of the Wits approach is the Innovation Readiness Levels (IRLs) framework. This structured metric allows academics and industry professionals to “speak the same language” by assessing a project across five critical dimensions:
- Technology Readiness: Is the tech functional?
- Manufacturing & Production: Can it be built at scale?
- Market Readiness: Is there a documented demand?
- Investment Readiness: Is the venture attractive to funders?
- Intellectual Property: Is the innovation legally protected?
Innovation in Action: PeCo Power
The delegation witnessed the practical application of this model through a visit to PeCo Power, a successful Wits spin-out company. Led by Professor Willie Cronje and CTO Dr. Muhammed Aswat, PeCo Power provides off-grid, affordable electricity solutions—proving that African-developed technology can bypass traditional infrastructure constraints to solve global energy challenges.
