The Timbali Technology Incubator aims to spring board start-up entrepreneurs by addressing key constraints through an innovative incubation model.
Timbali means “flowers” in the SiSwati language and is also the word used to translate “lilies” in the SiSwati bible. This name is also the personification of a “not for profit” enterprise established to support start-up flower growing entrepreneurs to overcome the many barriers that these entrepreneurs face.
The Timbali Technology Incubator was established in 2003 in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga with the specific aim of spring boarding start-up entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy by addressing some of their key constraints through an innovative incubation model. The incubator receives grant funding from Seda Technology Programme in SEDA, DTI.
The first entrepreneurs started production in 2004 and by 2005 their numbers had grown to thirty. In 2007 the incubation model was restructured to accommodate off-site entrepreneurs and the first twenty four farmers graduated from the incubator. At the onset the incubator, it focussed on the growing of flowers but has since diversified to include all agricultural products including foliage, fruit trees, ornamental crops, vegetables, livestock, seed and grain crops, poultry, piggeries, hides, etc.
The foundation of the incubator is that it tips the balance in favour of the start-up small and medium enterprises by way of a cluster-model to increase economies of scale for these businesses collectively. In addition, through a system-dependent business format, the enterprises consistently deliver a predictable, quality product/service resulting in significant economic benefits. The success of the incubator lies in fostering an enabling environment that provides the start-up businesses with the opportunity to grow into independent competitive enterprises. Through training, mentorship, technology packaging, business skills and technical development, financing and marketing this is achieved.
FOCUS: The Timbali Technology Incubator has proven to be a powerful vehicle to bring about economic change in communities where growth and development have been a dire need. In this sense Timbali has not only been about growing flowers but also about growing people and livelihoods.
“We’ve always seen GROWTH as our primary focus and a way to “Usher in change” where it really matters. But growth in the economy does not necessarily mean the situation of the whole population is improved. At Timbali we focus on growing women owned businesses, in fact 60% of our clients are women.
We believe in raising the financial tide of a woman, you elevate more boats than just hers. Mohammed Yunus, Nobel Pease Prize Winner said: “Money entering a household through a woman brings more benefits to the family as a whole.” Timbali has made a positive, measurable change in per capita income of the bottom 40% of the population. E.g. over the past 12 months, 880 individuals were directly dependent on the income generated by Timbali clients.
This amount excludes the dependents of the employees of the incubatees, indirect jobs and incubator staff members. Incubation is a powerful vehicle to bring about sustainable change where it really matters.”
Vision
Leaders in creating sustainable wealth for all in agricultural and related enterprises.
Mission
To establish and support an enabling environment to promote predominantly broadly based BEE agri-and related enterprises.
Whom do we serve?
Seda technology programme (stp)
Corporate Social Investment Funding
Incubation Clients & Agri-Clients
Research and Development Funders
High-level Suppliers in the industry
International Funding Agencies Off-site farmers on their own land
LRAD beneficiaries
Commercial Agri-clients
Land claim Communities
Service Provider and Consulting for Governments in S.A. and abroad
Why do we matter?
- We supply remedial solutions to empower previously disadvantaged start-up farmers;
- Timbali creates an enabling environment by using a Cluster-model to increase economies of scale for start-up farmers.
- We have developed a replicable business format to enable ordinary people to deliver a repetitive, predictable service / product in a system-dependent rather than people dependent business, by borrowing from tried and trusted franchise principles.
- Timbali facilitates the small enterprise by developing and applying best practices and facilitating predictable reliable production of produce by the co-ordination and standardization of systems to accommodate individuals on all skills levels.
- This Agri-Business cluster of Timbali is a ground-breaking endeavour that is creating a platform for sustainable development of agriculture in SA, while also addressing socio-economic discrepancies
- Agri-related incubation & value-added services
- Building the R&D Base in incubation services
- Building the Enabling Environment
- Commercial Incubation and/or support services
- Enabling role in communities
- Facilitating access to finance etc.
- Auditing compliance to legal/contractual services
- Franchising opportunities in the agri-industry
- Appropriate training, development & mentoring
- Incubation-related consulting
