Entrepreneurship platform launched in Pretoria to foster business ideas and growth
The initiative offers mentorship, peer support, and access to investors, equipping youth to transform creative ideas into thriving, sustainable businesses in Pretoria.
An entrepreneurial program has sparked the development of business concepts and ventures in Pretoria.
The Start-up Huddle Pretoria initiative, themed ‘Creating sustainable entrepreneurial systems’ was launched at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development in Hatfield on August 28.
According to director Pretty Ndlovu, the purpose of the initiative is to gather together people who are passionate about entrepreneurship.
“This is a program that is deeply rooted in community and aims to create a space where entrepreneurs and leaders in the industry can get together and talk about entrepreneurship,” she said.
She said the initiative aims to break down barriers by promoting a culture of openness and support for peers.
“We wanted to create a platform where entrepreneurs can vent and put out there what their challenges are,” she stated, adding that the initiative will help them kickstart their ideas and transform them into viable businesses by forcing them to articulate their visions clearly.”
Industry leaders and youth came in their numbers with opportunities of potential investors and mentorship from experienced leaders arising.
One of the industry leaders in partnership development, Litha Kutta, highlighted the importance of youth getting involved in entrepreneurship.
“There is an ageing population of young entrepreneurs, for example, farmers have an average age of 63 years,” he said, confirming that a new generation of entrepreneurs is needed.
“These are young people who either come from rural areas, or are interested in participation in agriculture because when they actually get involved there, they’ll be able to create jobs, more especially in depressed areas,” he said.
Kutta further said that it is important to expose youth to opportunities that are possible and build confidence.
“It must not be complicated opportunities because as they grow into their journey of entrepreneurship, they start taking more complicated and complex, and the nice thing is that young people are really innovative,” he said.
He acknowledged that young entrepreneurs need mentors, committing to guide them.
“As leaders, we will coach them into the process and provide them with access to innovative finance,” he said.
One of the attendees, Mbali Blaai, expressed gratitude for the Start-up Huddle initiative, stating that it will encourage young people to participate in the industry.
“Young people usually get discouraged because they don’t have people who guide them on what should be done to get to where they want their businesses to be,” she said.
She said the initiative will open opportunities for Pretoria entrepreneurs.
“It is not usual that you find someone who willingly helps you to turn your idea into a solid, running business,” she said, highlighting that she believes more young people will now have an interest in entrepreneurship.
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