PODCAST: Untapping the business potential of South Africa’s academic research

How can South Africa commercialise academic research? Michael Avery and Wayne Stocks consider what’s holding innovation back – and how that can change.
July 6, 2026
1 min read

To explore the journey of building one of South Africa’s leading university-focused investment platforms Michael Avery is joined by Wayne Stocks, managing partner at Stocks & Strauss.

Their conversation unpacks the challenges and opportunities of commercialising academic research, the structural barriers facing South Africa’s venture capital ecosystem, and what it takes to turn breakthrough innovation into globally scalable businesses.

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Michael Avery

Michael Avery is a South African business journalist, broadcaster and columnist who spends his days interrogating CEOs, policymakers and markets on Classic Business and Business Talk.

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