SAB KickStart Ignite unveils innovation among youth
BRAAMFONTEIN – Young entrepreneurs shine at second Kickstart Ignite
Walking away with a whopping R1.2 million to share in start-up funding, five worthy young entrepreneurs were recently recognised for their innovative ideas at the SAB KickStart Ignite Demonstration evening.
The event was hosted by South African Breweries (SAB) in Braamfontein and saw young entrepreneurs showcase a prototype of their products and services for a chance to get funding to further develop it. In the end, a visibly surprised and humble Pontsho Moletsane was named the first-place winner for his irrigation automation device, Nosetsa, getting R400 000 for his idea.
The Free State Central University of Technology student thanked the KickStart team for the opportunity and for the support received from his school. “This win was so unexpected but I’m grateful for the recognition, a big thank you to all the innovation hubs and SAB,” he said.
Speaking at the event was Simphiwe Mntambo, enterprise development specialist at the breweries, who hailed the effort all the entrepreneurs put into developing their ideas. “We’re so proud of all the products showcased tonight and we’re happy to celebrate these kickstarters and their innovative ideas,” she said.
“We started this programme a year ago and it was basically born out of the need to support young entrepreneurs with an idea and in need of support.”
Mntambo also explained that the kickstart programme was a way to introduce something new and valuable to the economy and creating shared value, which was something of significance to the brewery giant.
She praised the journey of sourcing and nurturing the entrepreneurs as a fantastic one, adding that SAB would continue working with some of the entrepreneurs on their ideas.
Adding to this was Octavius Phukubye, economic development manager at the breweries, who congratulated the winners and expressed the hope that the initiative would continue unearthing and nurturing young entrepreneurs.
The award ceremony also saw the second placed winner walk away with R300 000, third place with R200 000, fourth place R150 000 and fifth place with R100 000.
