Aspiring South African entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 are called on to enter their innovative business plans to the Young Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition.
The South African SME Toolkit website, a business portal designed to assist entrepreneurs and fledgling businesses, is to host the Young Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition.
The competition and the website are both initiatives of World Bank Group member International Finance Corporation (IFC), IBM South Africa and Business Partners Ltd.
The competition, which is strictly open to South African citizens aged 18 to 35, calls on all budding entrepreneurs to submit their business plans, either for a potential business or an existing business that is less than two years old.
The competition focuses on developing young entrepreneurial talent in the country and raising awareness for emergent entrepreneurs who require greater support to realize their dreams.
Twenty candidates will be chosen to attend business development workshops to refine their business plans while up to three winners will attend the main gala event award evening to be held in Johannesburg. Further prizes up for grab include business training opportunities, mentorship vouchers and laptops.
In order to receive an application form, entrants need to register on the SME Toolkit website by no later than the 11 October 2010. So if you are a South African citizen keen to kickstart your business, visit the SME Toolkit website at http://southafrica.smetoolkit.org/sa/en and register now.
If you are not a South African citizen you can still gain valuable business advice through the SME Toolkit websites. The Toolkit websites offer useful advice and tips on how to start a business by providing information on sources of finance, legal regulations and general business know-how.
These websites are distributed by IFC across several African countries and developed in partnership with local organizations that can offer relevant country specific information. At present local SME Toolkit websites are available for Algeria (hosted in French), Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar (hosted in French), Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, West Africa (hosted in French) and Zambia. You can also check the global website portal at www.smetoolkit.org.
livei java
September 27, 2010
hie
are you now in Zimbabwe just saw an inspiring episode on our local television. i have viable projects what should i do to get assistance?
Evelyne
October 6, 2010
Too bad I am not a South African. I would have won the competition
SFISO
November 11, 2010
Hi i’m a young entrepreneur residing in kzn under Mkhanyakude District municipality,my dream is to run a rental rooms in my area and there is a high demand for accommodation.
I would like to apply for financial assistance to start building five rooms that can cost some of R55,000 i do have land that is close to the N2 road for more contact me on 0727648642 or Email sfiso.dlamini@gmail.com
Africa Report Team
November 15, 2010
Dear Sfiso
Please list your business requests and comments on our Marketplace. The Marketplace is an online platform for entrepreneurs to connect with business partners and investors.
Signup here to create a profile and get active.
All the best for your business venture.
Africa Report
October 5, 2011
Good day Peter
You can enter the Business Plan Competition only if you meet it’s basic requirements. The competition is strictly open to South African citizens aged 18 to 35. If you are not a South African citizen you can still gain valuable business advice through the SME Toolkit websites. The Toolkit websites offer useful advice and tips on how to start a business by providing information on sources of finance, legal regulations and general business know-how.
I hope that I have assisted you one way or the other. Please don’t hesitate to log onto the Africa Report website for more competitions you can take part in.
Regards
The Africa Report Team
Rosette Trovato
October 20, 2011
Your website contains remarkable info and interesting facts.