Challenges of Sustainable Technopreneurship in the South African Built Environment

Despite the increasing global focus on technopreneurship as the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship, which serves as a catalyst for innovation-driven economic transformation, the built environment continues to encounter challenges in implementing sustainable technopreneurship practices. This study examines the challenges hindering sustainable technopreneurship in South Africa's built environment. This study adopted a quantitative approach, using a structured questionnaire to collect primary data from 50 built environment professionals in Gauteng province, through a purposive sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, including mean item scores, standard deviations, and exploratory factor analyses (EFA). The results revealed that the top challenges identified are: limited access to funding and investment; lack of government support/incentives; lack of mentorship or guidance for start-ups; low awareness of sustainable practices; and limited access to digital tools. The EFA revealed four core challenge clusters: technological and infrastructural limitations, limited access to funding and investment, inadequate technical knowledge or skills and fragmented stakeholder collaboration. Government, policymakers, and stakeholders, including built environment professionals and industry players, need to become more actively involved in creating innovative ecosystems that foster green entrepreneurship and promote inclusive development. Cross-sector collaboration is key to building trust and accelerating green innovation. This study provides an empirical foundation for targeted interventions to strengthen technopreneurial capacity in South Africa’s built environment.