Membership Chapters

Membership structure built around the ST&I ecosystem.

The ST&I Business Forum has four main categories of members called Chapters: Corporates, Start-ups, Academic Technology Institutions, and ST&I Professionals. Each Chapter has a Convenor and supports the organisation's wider mission.

Explore Chapters Selection Criteria

Members of the organisation belong to specific Chapters of the ST&I Business Forum and are expected to fully participate in relevant Working Groups and the organisation's activities. This structure helps align members by sector, capability, and contribution to science, technology and innovation in South Africa.

Chapter Categories
4

Corporates, Start-ups, Academic Technology Institutions, and ST&I Professionals all contribute distinct strengths to the ST&I Business Forum network.

Organisation Chapters

Membership Chapters

Each chapter groups members with common roles, priorities, and opportunities while creating a clear pathway for collaboration, advocacy, and sector-specific support.

Chapter

Corporate Chapter

The members of this chapter are South African and international companies invested in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation. These are companies that recognise the critical role ST&I plays in socio-economic development and are committed to advancing business-friendly ST&I policies within South Africa.

Membership benefits include
  • Access to R&D partnerships and facilities.
  • Marketing and promotion.
  • ST&I policy position and advocacy.
  • BBBEE scorecard value.
  • Social impact.
  • Industry leadership.
Chapter

Start-up Chapter

The members of this chapter are start-ups and entrepreneurs who operate in the science and technology sectors of the economy.

Membership benefits include
  • Access to R&D, partnerships and facilities.
  • Marketing and promotion.
  • ST&I policy position and advocacy.
  • Industry value chain integration.
  • Dual education learning.
Chapter

Academic Chapter

The members of this chapter are Universities of Technology (UoTs), Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVETs), and ST&I-driven universities that join on a voluntary basis.

Membership benefits include
  • Marketing and promotion.
  • ST&I policy position.
  • ST&I advocacy.
  • Industry access.
  • Dual education learning.
Chapter

ST&I Professionals

The members of this chapter are highly accomplished individuals in science, technology, engineering and innovation. This includes Professors, Executive Directors, Researchers, and Technical Professionals.

Members should possess
  • ST&I expertise.
  • Professional status.
  • Executive management experience.
  • Strong networks.
Membership benefits include
  • Board nomination.
  • Access to strategic positions.
  • Industry access and advisory services.
  • Access to high-level job opportunities.
Organisational Membership

Selection Criteria and Participation

Members of the organisation must belong to one of the specific Chapters of the organisation and fully participate in the Working Groups and all organisational activities.

The selection committee tasks include
  • Defining the selection criteria and process for membership.
  • Defining rules and guidelines for membership.
  • Defining membership benefits.

Members are selected based on criteria defined by the Governance Board. The Board approves membership through the selection committee, which acts as a permanent structure of the Board.

16.2 Membership Fees

Annual Fee Structure

Membership fees are set by the Governance Board in consultation with the Ad-hoc Advisory Committee and reviewed annually.

Corporate Chapter membership fee R50,000 p.a.
Start-ups membership fee R10,000 p.a.
Academic Technology Institutions (UoTs & TVETs) R20,000 p.a.
Strategic Organisations membership fee R20,000 p.a.
ST&I Professionals membership fee R5,000 p.a.

Membership is reviewed annually to ensure that the organisation continues to meet its members' obligations and expectations.