BSc. Mechanical Engineering graduate from UKZN, Stephen has worked in Manufacturing, Education, Financial Services and has extensive experience in Startup’s
Natural born innovator, trained Engineer, Teacher, Artist and Entrepreneur – Stephen is a dynamic voice in the world of Technology and Innovation.
Founder of the MakerSpace Foundation, an enterprise development incubator in Durban, encouraging sustainable business creation through technology.
Stephen is particularly good at demystifying technology and unpacking the human implications of our rapidly changing world. He offers an entertaining and insightful look behind the Tech curtain, unveiling a picture of the future and engaging listeners from all walks of life.
Speaking Engagements:
2021 CNN Inside Africa Feature
2021 Elle Green Sustainable living France 2021 Sustainability Summit Africa
2021 Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Bootcamp
2020 Team Europe Climate Diplomacy Week IWD
2020 Hague Institute for Innovation of Law Incubator
2020 Baobab Launch event
2019 Red Bull University Global Mentor Social Innovation
2018 BRICS Future Skills – BRICS skill working group
2018 Red Bull University Global Mentor Social Innovation 2018 SAAFF Executive congress Cape Town
2017 Thomson Reuters Intrapreneurship conference
2017 Innovation Festival Durban LINK
2017 GIBS Business School: When is the Future?
2016 TEDx Salt Rock – Keynote: Meaning in Innovation 2016 Innovation Summit Durban: Panel facilitator
2016 Makerspaces in Schools conference – Keynote 2015 Startup weekend KZN – Keynote
2015 Prince Harry royal visit – Democratizating tech
2015 GovTech Conference 3D printing, drones, robotics
Skills Matrix:
The Maker Space Track Record:
- Google Impact Challenge 2018 winners
- 8 years of experience designing, building and running maker spaces in South Africa
- Founders of The Maker Space Foundation
- Co-Founders of the South African Maker Collective
- Co-Founders TMG makerspace WITS
- Turnkey project: design and deliver new Maker Space for Curro Schools
- Consultants to Ethekwini – Innovation Co-Lab
- Innovation Consulting to: Unilever, GIZ, Singularity University, SAAFF, DSV, Redbull Global, Hague Institute for Innovation in law
- Redbull University Global Mentor
- Startup Weekend for Women
Potential Value input:
- Sustainability Strategy: Financial, environmental, social sustainability & circular economy
- Enterprise development Program design and support
- Innovation and Technology mentor and facilitator at an executive level
- Coaching and Mentorship of key personnel: Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Disruptive tech
- Community Building strategy – engagement and peer to peer learning mechanisms
- Event planning and strategy – hackathons, startup events and competitions
- Technical Training – equipment and processes
Engagement Opportunities:
- Public Speaking: keynote’s
- Technology demonstrations
- Panel Facilitation
- Workshop Facilitation: Half day & Full Day
- Consulting – Monthly Retainer
- Consulting – Defined projects
Contact:
Steve Gray
+27 83 612 2125