SU LaunchPod
SU LaunchPod is the official podcast of Stellenbosch University's LaunchLab. It focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup activity connected to the university and its wider community. Episodes likely feature conversations with founders, mentors, and innovators. The show highlights resources, events, and opportunities available through the SU LaunchLab.
Episodes
Episode #13_Urobo Biotech
Stellenbosch University (SU) LaunchLab, in partnership with Stellenbosch Network and supported by Stellenbosch Municipality, brings you the fifth episode of LaunchPod for 2026.
Hosted by Brandon Paschal, Head of the SU LaunchLab and Deputy Director: Spin-out Companies and Funds at SU, this episode features Dominique Rocher and Dr Wessel Myburgh, co-founders of Urobo Biotech.
In this insightful co
Episode #12: Biotrac Systems
Stellenbosch University (SU) LaunchLab, in partnership with Stellenbosch Network and supported by Stellenbosch Municipality, brings you the fourth episode of LaunchPod for 2026.
Hosted by Brandon Paschal, Head of the SU LaunchLab and Deputy Director: Spin-out Companies and Funds at SU, this episode features Tom Murray and Kyle Klopper, founders of Biotrac Systems. They share their journey of build
Episode #11: SafeGuard Technologies
Can a conversation with ChatGPT become the starting point for a startup?
In this episode of LaunchPod, Tumelo Mokoena, founder of SafeGuard Technologies (Pty) Ltd, shares how an idea inspired by a YouTube video and the realities of rising crime in Stellenbosch evolved into a venture developing drone-enabled security solutions. Join us as we discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, and the journey fr
Episode #10: Milani Education
Hosted by Brandon Paschal, Head of the SU LaunchLab and Deputy Director of Spin-outs and Funds at Stellenbosch University, the episode is hosted with Alexandra Lutz, Founder of Milani Education, where she opens up about her realisation that chasing scale was not the answer, instead, she needed to zoom in and create tangible, in-person impact for a smaller number of students.
Milani Education partn
Episode #9: NAVU Mobility
In this episode of the LaunchPod, Brandon Paschal sits down with Amohetsoe Shale, founder of NAVU Mobility. Amo takes us on a fascinating journey from identifying the profound gap in accessible prosthetics to building a low-cost, high-performance prosthetic knee that restores mobility and dignity to amputees across Africa.
We unpack what truly affordable medtech looks like, why mobility should nev
Episode #8: GeoSmart
In this episode of the LaunchPod, Brandon Paschal sits down with Prof. Adriaan van Niekerk, founder and CEO of GeoSmart and one of South Africa’s pioneers in geospatial science. Adriaan takes us on a fascinating journey from early Geographic Information System (GIS) research at Stellenbosch University to building nationally significant datasets that help predict real-world risks like flooding.
We
Episode #7: Sun Magnetics
In this episode of the LaunchPod, Brandon Paschal sits down with Coenrad Fourie, CEO of Stellenbosch University spinout, Sun Magnetics, to unpack one of the most complex and exciting frontiers of modern technology: quantum computing.
Coenrad shares how Sun Magnetics enables quantum computers to actually work, by providing specialised engineering software that verifies superconducting circuits befo
Episode #6: Terraclim
Dr Tara Southey, founder and CEO of Terraclim, turned a love for nature, wine, and research into a powerful climate data solution for agriculture. Born from over a decade of research and a frustration with the lack of accessible climate data, Terraclim is now helping farmers across South Africa adapt to climate change with precision and confidence.
In this episode, Tara shares her journey from vi
Episode #5 (LL 10-Year Anniversary Special Edition): Building Networks, Building Stellenbosch
Continuing Stellenbosch University LaunchLab’s 10-year anniversary reflections, the final installment of this mini-series features Hanli Brink, Operations Director of Stellenbosch Network.
From linking students and startups to boardrooms at Remgro, to launching the Cape Connect industry events that bring together academia, government, and business. Hanli reflects on how a simple belief in the powe
Episode #4 (LL 10-Year Anniversary Special Edition) : Launching the Next Decade
As Stellenbosch University (SU) LaunchLab continues its 10-year anniversary reflections, this second installment of our special series features Brandon Paschal, Deputy Director of Spinouts and Funds.
Brandon shares his journey of shaping LaunchLab’s spinout strategy - from nurturing early-stage ideas to securing funding and building companies that create real-world impact. With an eye on both the
Episode #3 (LL 10-Year Anniversary Special Edition) : Can Universities Become Entrepreneurial Powerhouses?
As Stellenbosch University (SU) LaunchLab marks its 10-year anniversary, Anita Nel, Chief Director of Innovation and Commercialisation, and Brandon Paschal, Deputy Director of Spinouts and Funds, reflect on a decade of building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem at SU.
In this special LaunchPod episode, they explore how universities can evolve beyond traditional roles, becoming engines for innov
Episode #2: Immobazyme
The founding story of Immobazyme is deeply rooted in connection, curiosity and a shared passion for science. Dominic Nicholas, Ethan Hunter and Nick Enslin, now co-founders of a groundbreaking biotech company, met during their Honours year at Stellenbosch University (SU), where they developed a shared interest in Biotechnology.
Watch the full episode with Brandon Paschal, Dominic and Nick as th
Episode #1: The founding story of Fluorobiotech
Established in late 2022, CEO of Fluorobiotech Dr Anton Du Preez van Staden, a molecular biologist with over a decade of experience working in the fields of microbiology and recombinant protein expression, joined forces with Co-Founder and COO of Fluorobiotech, Ross Vermeulen. Together, they have combined their scientific expertise with a drive to create commercial value that can address the chall
