Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is a non-profit science centre in Johannesburg and the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, operating nearly 400 interactive exhibits, curriculum-aligned labs, an ICT certification academy, and teacher development programmes for Gauteng schools, families, and youth.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Sci-Bono Discovery Centre does
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is a Non-Profit Company (Registration 2004/010183/08) established in 2004 as a partnership between the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and private sector partners. It operates the largest science centre in Sub-Saharan Africa, located in the historic Electric Workshop building in Newtown, Johannesburg, and serves as the flagship implementer of GDE's Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Strategy. The centre is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO 930014449) with Section 18A tax-deductible donation status, and is governed by a board of Non-Executive Directors chaired by Abbey Witbooi with Prof Mfanelo Pat Ntsobi as CEO ex-officio.
The core platform is the physical science centre with nearly 400 permanent interactive exhibits, three CAPS-aligned curriculum laboratories (Dow Chemistry, FESTO Mechatronics, Sangari Life Sciences), a digital planetarium, an indoor climbing wall, and a Solar Lab mobile classroom. On top of this platform Sci-Bono runs a Dell Technologies ICT Academy delivering Cisco, Microsoft and Certiport certifications; a Career Centre providing psychometric assessments and career guidance; the SSIP supplementary tuition programme across 298 sites and 439 Gauteng high schools (UN Public Service Award 2014); a free Clubhouse after-school programme linked to the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network for 500+ youth annually; SACE-endorsed teacher development; and travelling exhibitions from the Smithsonian Institute (H2O Today) and National Geographic (Weird but True!).
Revenue is a hybrid mix anchored on a principal GDE grant, supplemented by walk-in admissions (R60 adult / R40 child / R21 subsidised school learner), corporate venue hire (capacity up to 1,000 for cocktail events), birthday party packages at R3,000, ICT certification tuition, and donations from corporate, trusts, foundations and the diplomatic community. Customer segments span Gauteng public schools, independent schools, families, individual youth, educators, and corporate event clients. The operating model is therefore a government-anchored non-profit with diversified fee-for-service and grant revenue streams.
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
- Legal name
- Sci-Bono Discovery Centre NPC
- Website
- https://sci-bono.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is a non-profit science centre in Johannesburg and the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, operating nearly 400 interactive exhibits, curriculum-aligned labs, an ICT certification academy, and teacher development programmes for Gauteng schools, families, and youth.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Science Education and Public Engagement Services
- NAICS
- All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Computer Training (61142)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), STEM & Coding Learning Centers (Robotics, Programming, Engineering) (EDANAHAF)
Keywords
Where Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Principal funding from Gauteng Department of Education as the primary funder
- Visitor Admissions: Entry fees from visitors including adults (R60), children (R40), family tickets (R180)
- Venue Hire and Corporate Events: Corporate events, conferences, team building, and venue rental services
- Birthday Parties: Science-themed birthday party packages at R3,000 per package
- Grants and Donations: Grants and donations from private sector donors, trusts, foundations, and diplomatic community
- ICT Training Programs: Technology training programs including Cisco certifications and Dell Youth Development Program
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Adult Visitors (18+) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Children (3-18 years) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Young Children (under 3) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Students and Pensioners |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Family Ticket |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fully Subsidised/Gauteng Public Schools |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Independent Schools |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Birthday Party Packages |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is the largest science centre in Sub-Saharan Africa, operating nearly 400 interactive science and technology exhibits, three fully equipped curriculum-aligned laboratories, a digital planetarium, and an indoor climbing wall. It delivers formal school support (SSIP supplementary tuition for Grade 8-12 learners in 439 Gauteng high schools), ICT academy training (Cisco, Microsoft, Dell-accredited certifications), teacher development, career counselling, and a free after-school Clubhouse program, complemented by science birthday parties and corporate venue hire.
Product overview
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is a science centre operating as a unified platform with multiple educational programmes and services. The core offering is its science centre with nearly 400 interactive exhibits, complemented by the ICT Academy providing vocational IT training, the Career Centre offering career guidance and counselling, and three science laboratories for curriculum-based practicals. Additional services include the Clubhouse after-school programme, Teacher Development training, the SSIP supplementary tuition programme, Solar Labs, and various exhibitions (H2O Today, Nat Geo Kids). The centre also offers venue hire for corporate events and science-themed birthday parties. The ICT Academy partners with Dell Technologies and offers Cisco/Microsoft certifications, while the Career Centre provides psychometric assessments and work readiness services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- SSIP was awarded the 2014 United Nations Public Service Award for its contribution to improving education outcomes
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dell TechnologiescoreDell Technologies sponsors the Sci-Bono ICT Academy and Youth Development Program, providing technology and support for digital skills training for unemployed youth aged 18-25.
- 3M South Africaminor3M South Africa partnered with Sci-Bono, GDE, and Department of Community Safety for a Road Safety programme targeting primary schools in Gauteng.
- National GeographiccoreSci-Bono hosts the Nat Geo Kids Weird but True! exhibition from National Geographic, bringing international travelling exhibitions to South African visitors.
- Smithsonian InstitutecoreSci-Bono hosts travelling exhibitions from the Smithsonian Institute including H2O TODAY exhibition with world-first interactive features.
- Amgen Biotech ExperienceminorSci-Bono hosts the Amgen Biotech Experience program providing biotechnology education resources and training for educators.
- Intel Computer Clubhouse NetworkcoreSci-Bono Clubhouse is linked to the international Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, providing technology access and creative learning for youth aged 9-18.
- Cisco Networking AcademycoreSci-Bono ICT Academy is a Cisco Networking Academy offering IT Essentials, CCNA, Cybersecurity, and other technology certification courses.
- MicrosoftcoreSci-Bono is a Microsoft Imagine Academy providing Microsoft Office and other technology training with official Microsoft curriculum.
- MICT SETAminorMedia, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority supports ICT training programs at Sci-Bono.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Questacon — The National Science and Technology Centre: Australia's national science centre in Canberra, operating interactive exhibits, school programmes, and travelling exhibitions at scale; comparable as the flagship national science centre model that Sci-Bono aspires to at Sub-Saharan scale, but serving Australian rather than African audiences.
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): Portland-based interactive science museum combining a science centre, laboratories, planetarium, and educational programmes for schools and families; closely comparable mix of exhibits-plus-labs-plus-formal-education in a single venue, though in a US market context.
- Exploratorium: Pioneering hands-on science museum in San Francisco widely regarded as the global reference for the modern interactive science centre model; comparable in mission and exhibit-led programming approach, though at significantly larger scale and with different funding mechanics.
- Science Centre Singapore: Flagship Asian interactive science centre combining 400+ exhibits, school programmes, teacher development, and visitor attractions; comparable in combining large exhibit count, labs, school outreach, and government-aligned STEM mandate in a different geography.
- Ontario Science Centre: Established Canadian interactive science centre offering permanent and travelling exhibits, school programming, and STEM teacher resources; comparable in combining a flagship visitor attraction with formal school-curriculum programming, though in a developed-market geography.
Broad incumbents
- Iziko Museums of South Africa: National museum system of South Africa operating multiple museum sites including natural history and science collections; comparable as a broader South African cultural/educational institution that touches on science themes, but operating a traditional museum rather than interactive science-centre model.
Direct peers
- Sci-Enza (University of Pretoria): Long-standing university-based interactive science centre at the University of Pretoria (founded 1975) serving Gauteng and surrounding schools and families with hands-on exhibits and STEM programming; directly comparable in mission and audience, anchored to higher education rather than a provincial department.
- Cape Town Science Centre: Non-profit interactive science centre in Cape Town offering hands-on exhibits, school programmes, and teacher development; the closest geographic direct competitor to Sci-Bono, operating the same science-centre-plus-Education model in a different South African province.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre social profiles
Digital presenceSci-Bono Discovery Centre compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
What does Sci-Bono Discovery Centre do?
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is the largest science centre in Sub-Saharan Africa, operating nearly 400 interactive science and technology exhibits, three fully equipped curriculum-aligned laboratories, a digital planetarium, and an indoor climbing wall. It delivers formal school support (SSIP supplementary tuition for Grade 8-12 learners in 439 Gauteng high schools), ICT academy training (Cisco, Microsoft, Dell-accredited certifications), teacher development, career counselling, and a free after-school Clubhouse program, complemented by science birthday parties and corporate venue hire.
Is Sci-Bono Discovery Centre a public or private company?
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Sci-Bono Discovery Centre founded?
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Sci-Bono Discovery Centre based?
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Sci-Bono Discovery Centre make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are visitor Admissions, venue Hire and Corporate Events, birthday Parties, grants and Donations and ICT Training Programs.
Who are Sci-Bono Discovery Centre's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Questacon — The National Science and Technology Centre, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Exploratorium, Science Centre Singapore and Ontario Science Centre. Iziko Museums of South Africa is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Sci-Enza (University of Pretoria) and Cape Town Science Centre.
Does Sci-Bono Discovery Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sci-Bono Discovery Centre.
What industry is Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in?
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre's product category is Science Education and Public Engagement Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAD, Science & Technology Museums, with a secondary code of EDAMABAA, Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs). Its NAICS code is 61169.