South Africa’s top business leaders are committed to fast-track small businesses
The chemicals industry is a key sector of the South African economy, accounting for about 25% of the nation’s manufacturing sales. According to the Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association, it is the most developed of its kind in Africa.
Are you a KZN business owner in the chemical sector, or with the potential to service the chemicals sector, on the precipice of moving your business up a few notches? Sometimes, all you need to boost your business to the next level is for someone to believe in you, as much as you believe in yourself. Are you able to prove your business’ potential, to show large enterprises why your innovative ideas deserve a chance? And is your business small or medium* Black-owned? If you answered yes to these questions, then you’re exactly who the 2021 Business Accelerator Programme is looking for, and you’re invited to put yourself in the running to win your share of R100 000 in seed capital.
In addition to the fabulous cash prizes, selected finalists will be given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a 3-month hands-on mentorship programme with some of South Africa’s top business leaders, and then stand a chance to unlock invaluable procurement and preferential loan funding opportunities.
Megan Wuite, Head of the 2021 Business Accelerator Programme explains, “South Africa is bursting at the seams, overflowing with talented entrepreneurs with worthy business concepts – but they lack the expertise and resources they need to unlock their growth potential. That’s exactly why The Business Accelerator Programme came about – to develop high potential Black SMEs as strategic suppliers to industrial lead enterprises through market access, standards upgrading, and capital investment interventions. Local Durban Large Lead Enterprises Ferro Coating Resins, NCS Resins, H&R Africa as well as SAPREF are looking to identify new talent and exciting innovation. Don’t miss the opportunity to present to this incredible panel of leaders!”
With its proven methodology and impressive track record of positive results in the Durban Chemical Cluster for the past three years, The Business Accelerator Programme has certainly had an impact – it has unlocked over R2 million in preferential loans in the chemical sector alone. The Durban Chemicals Cluster has a proud and long-standing partnership with the eThekwini Municipality and the Durban private chemicals manufacturing sector. The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) has also lent their support to the programme this year and is fully committed to seeing amazing results.
The programme is open to all Black-owned SMMEs in KZN, with entrants being required to submit their business case and/or innovative projects via the online application form by the 22nd of October 2021. Once applications have closed, the Cluster (in partnership with sector leaders) will screen and select candidates to join them for an online workshop and two full-day, face-to-face events.
“The full-day, highly-interactive, pitch support face-to-face session is an incredible opportunity for entrants to network and learn from leading business people and fine-tune their business pitches to present to a panel of judges at the second full-day event (modelled on the ‘Dragon’s Den’ concept). The winners and other selected candidates will also be awarded a business mentorship programme,” says Megan.
“An idea or innovation takes so much more than money to turn it into a viable, growing business. It’s for this exact reason that we’ve harnessed experience, expertise and partnerships to create a winning accelerator platform that has earned its stripes in sky-rocketing small businesses to the next level,” Megan concludes.
Whether you’re a startup or an established business in the chemical sector, why not throw your hat in the ring?
Apply Now:
- KZN-based chemical sector entrants can enter here: https://durbanchemicalscluster.org.za/business-accelerator-2/
Dates of Events:
- 4 November: Capacity Building Online workshop (all sectors)
- 29 November: Automotive and Chemical Cluster Pitch workshop (Durban)
- 1 December: Chemical Cluster Dragon’s Den (Durban)
*small and medium businesses are defined as having up to 250 employees and less than R170 million annual turnover.
