Timbali Technology Incubator

General information

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.”