Don’t miss out on the new incubator programme
The incubator programme and supplier development initiative seek to invest and develop township-based and Black-owned SMMEs in the ICT sector. Following a successful pilot project and with the current cohort graduating this July, the programme is now recruiting for the second intake of ICT entrepreneurs across the country.
Budding entrepreneurs in the ICT sector from Alexandra and other townships have been urged to join the Telkom FutureMakers which is part of the Telkom Township Innovation Incubator programme.
The 18-month virtual entrepreneurship programme was piloted in Soweto last year, where the final cohort included 11 technology-social entrepreneurs chosen from more than 100 hopefuls.
The incubator programme and supplier development initiative seek to invest and develop township-based and Black-owned SMMEs in the ICT sector. Following a successful pilot project and with the current cohort graduating this July, the programme is now recruiting for the second intake of ICT entrepreneurs across the country.
“Congratulations to the first cohort who’ve completed our pilot programme, and who, through the programme, accessed funding to turn their business ideas into viable and commercially ready businesses,” said Telkom enterprise and supplier development executive Mmathebe Zvobwo.
She said the ICT was globally recognised as one of the industries that can provide tangible opportunities for employment and, more importantly, youth employment. “We’re thrilled to embark on a national roll-out in townships around the country following the success of the pilot project.”
One of the success stories of Telkom’s FutureMakers Township Incubator Programme is Technology Plumbing Solutions, a technological plumbing solutions company led by Thulani Khumalo from Soweto. Telkom supported this company to develop a tech-enabled maintenance manhole cover that detects sewer blockage and overflow in real-time.
Telkom calls on Black-owned businesses, particularly youth-owned businesses in the ICT sector who have innovative ideas to solve social challenges to apply and be part of the incubator programme.
The condition is that entrepreneurs should possess a high-calibre entrepreneurial mindset, access to the internet, and the ability to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
The successful incumbents will be given access to support in capacity building, technology development, business development, idea generation and validation support, market access, and funding.
Applications are currently open and close on September 15, 2022 and the programme will kick off on November 1, 2022.
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