A SALA multidisciplinary R&D hub
We build what the Eastern Cape needs next.
SALA Innovation Labs is a multidisciplinary research and development hub building ventures, backing early-stage founders, and running an active mentorship network across South Africa.
Who we are
A research hub that ships.
SALA Innovation Labs is the research and venture-building arm of the South African Legacy Association. We run four operating pillars, incubate ventures from idea to scale, and keep a mentorship network working across the country.
About the LabsTo turn local insight into working technology - building research-backed ventures that create opportunity where it is needed most.
Our vision. A South Africa where a founder in a rural town has the same access to research, infrastructure and capital as one in a metro.
How we operate
Four pillars
Research
Applied research that starts with a real problem in a real community, not a paper.
Venture Building
We build and co-found ventures in-house, then hand them to founders with the runway to run.
Community
An active mentorship network connecting students, professionals and founders across the country.
Capital
Structured pathways to funding - from first grant to institutional investment.
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WITS
UCT
UP
UFH
WSU
NMU
CPUT
UFS
RU
NWU
UKZN
UJ
Portfolio
Ventures we are building
Each one started as a problem somebody in our network could not stop thinking about.
Work with us
Four ways in
Pick the one that fits. Each goes straight to the person who owns it - no reception desk.
Partner & collaborate
You have expertise to contribute or a project to build with us.
Start a conversationExplore investment
You are evaluating the Labs or one of our ventures for capital.
Request the deckApply for workspace
You are building something and need space, tooling and mentorship.
Apply nowJoin the community
Students, professionals and founders. One form, and you are in.
Become a memberThe community
Build with people who are already building.
Registration takes a minute and subscribes you to our updates. Free, and you can leave whenever you like.