SAB competition finalists create more jobs
The finalists have created a total of 68 jobs during 2013. These constitute full time and part time employment created.
The Top 14 national finalists in the South African Breweries (SAB) youth entrepreneurship development programme, SAB KickStart, have created a total of 68 jobs during 2013. These constitute full time and part time employment created.
These finalists were announced earlier in the year and have since undertaken an intensive 12-month journey of personalised business mentorship and business development support during which there were a number of interventions to place each business on a growth path.
The SAB KickStart Class of 2013 is the first to complete the re-engineered model of the programme focused on developing and supporting sustainable businesses and high impact entrepreneurs who are able to make a contribution to South Africa’s job creation needs.
“Our top 14 finalists represent dedicated individuals whose connection to development yielded more empowered entrepreneurs capable of taking their businesses from start-ups to growing SMEs. The jobs they have managed to create, although a small contribution initially, is an indication of their potential to make a substantial impact moving into the future,” says Boipelo Nkadimeng, SAB Manager Enterprise Development.
The Top 14 finalists were selected from a total of 60 candidates shortlisted across the country following an intense business training workshop. At the workshop, participants are schooled on how to develop a comprehensive and effective business plan. The best plans pitched at the end of the training were then chosen by an independent panel of adjudicators, resulting in the Top 14 finalists.
A thorough needs analysis conducted on the finalists’ businesses helped define a growth strategy for each. This strategy in turn informed the seed capital awarded to each business, as well as the programme and terms of individualised business mentorship.
The top three winners of the national finals will be awarded addition grant funding for their businesses of R600 000, R350 000 and R250 000, respectively, as well as an international business learning trip for each.
In selecting the winners, an independent panel of judges considers the overall business performance, business sustainability and its potential, as well as the effective implementation of growth strategies during the SAB KickStart mentorship and business development phase.
Winners will be announced during a gala awards dinner to be held during Global Entrepreneurship Week on Monday, 18th November 2013.
