A chance for aspiring entrepreneurs to shine
THE Business Partners Limited / SME Toolkit SA Global Entrepreneurship Week’s Business Plan Competition for Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs will this year expand nationally.
The competition, open to entrepreneurs between the age of 18 and 35, is targeted at those who have always dreamed of starting their own business, but didn’t know where, or how, to begin.
The competition aims to have a positive impact on aspiring and promising entrepreneurs by moving them from simply having an idea, to actually launching a start-up business.
“South Africa is home to an abundance of individuals who possess worthy business concepts, yet often these ideas go unheard as these entrepreneurs don’t have the means to develop the idea further. Due to the role entrepreneurs play in the economy and how they contribute towards job creation, we are hopeful that this competition will lead to the introduction of more small businesses in the country,” said Pierre Mey, executive general manager, Support Services at Business Partners Limited.
Entrants will stand a chance to win a seat at a one-day business workshop, where they will have the opportunity to learn the intricacies of compiling a business and marketing plan, as well as how to manage the many functions of operating a business, and how to effectively network to maximise success.
The workshops will take place in 12 areas around the country, and 20 finalists will be selected to attend each workshop. After the workshop, the finalist will be asked to submit a business plan, which will be drafted using the knowledge that was learnt.
The judges will review the various business plans before selecting four regional winners, which will each receive a R5 000 mentorship voucher from Business Partners Limited. The four regional winners will then compete for the national award, which will be announced in Johannesburg on the 14 November during Global Entrepreneurship Week. The winner will also receive an additional R10 000 mentorship voucher and a PC notebook or tablet.
Mey said that it is noteworthy that the competition’s final awards ceremony is held during Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative which celebrates entrepreneurs who bring ideas to life and drive economic growth. “Similar to this initiative, the competition also aims to inspire South Africans to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey,” concluded Mey.The closing date for entries is 23 August 2013.
For more information and to download the entry form, visit https://southafrica.smetoolkit.org/ or for queries e-mail smetoolkit@businesspartners.co.za
