2027 Speakers

Thandiwe Maretlane is the Senior Commercialisation Lead at Mintek, with extensive experience in technology transfer, business development, intellectual property management and research commercialisation. A trained metallurgist, and a Registered Technology Transfer professional (RTTP), she specialises in translating early stage innovations into market opportunities by aligning technology, investment, industry needs and policy frameworks.

Her expertise spans commercialisation strategy, technology licensing, investment and funding programmes, strategic partnerships, spin out formation and technology uptake across minerals, metallurgy, diagnostics, advanced materials and industrial technologies. She also supports innovation ecosystem development through advisory work with universities and SMEs across Africa.

Thandiwe is a co-opted committee member of SARIMA and has worked with WIPO to strengthen intellectual property strategies and commercialisation capabilities among SMEs.