Grintek, a defence, electronics and telecommunications solutions company, on Thursday announced it has acquired 30% of Expertron, a high technology start-up company.

Expertron was of the first companies in The Innovation Hub's pilot Business Incubator.

The Innovation Hub is a partnership between the Gauteng government's Blue IQ initiative and SERA, the Southern Education and Research Alliance, a partnership between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the University of Pretoria.

The transaction provides Grintek with an option to own a controlling stake over a period of three years.

Grintek chairperson Zoli Kunene said in a statement the partnership was an opportunity to access new markets through Expertron's data communications security products.

He said this would also consolidate the company's global business strategy aimed at exporting these solutions to penetrate the international marketplace.

"We have made great strides globally through our defence products and we will expand our international venture with other products including those resulting from this partnership," he added.

Expertron director Dr Walter Smuts said the deal would give the company access to additional business links and markets.

"This could also open future opportunities for joint projects that could enhance synergy between Grintek and Expertron. Our association with a leading company will also enable Expertron to gain exposure in the marketplace which is often not easy for start-up companies to penetrate," Smuts said.

Expertron is made up of a small team of development engineers who caught the market's attention with an internet based security product, Cell-ID.

The Innovation Hub's pilot Business Incubator programme supports the growth of innovative technology start-up companies in an environment that provides mentorship and assistance with all business-related matters.

Blue IQ, which has invested R258 million to develop The Innovation Hub, is a Gauteng government project targeting economic infrastructure development in tourism, so-called smart industries and high value-added manufacturing.

With acknowledgements to INet Bridge and Business Day.