Last year’s wildly popular Entrepreneur Competition is back … with a new and improved programme that will have the KZN north coast’s budding businessmen and women clamouring to enter.
The competition is a joint venture between the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (ICCIT), African Bank and Enterprise iLembe. It ran for the first time in 2011 and was a resounding success with 240 aspiring entrepreneurs vying to be one of the top 10 contestants. The competition proved to be an effective vehicle for driving enterprise development opportunities, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth in the area.
ICCIT CEO Trenley Tilbrook said, “International research shows that the most effective way to grow a local economy is to strengthen and grow existing business which contributes up to 70% of new jobs. The 2012 Entrepreneur aims to make this happen by targeting those people who have already established their own businesses and need the support and funding to take them to the next level.”
The 2012 Entrepreneur was launched on 21 June and winners will be eligible for a portion of the R320 000 prize money donated by Enterprise iLembe and African Bank. This year’s competition targets previously disadvantaged micro-businesses located within 50km of Ballito.
Application forms are available at the iLembe Chamber offices in Ballito; Lifestyle SuperSpar; Kwa-Mama Care Centre; Stanger Library; Stanger Youth Centre and the Ithala offices in Isithebe Business Park. Entries close on 1 August.
Thirty contestants will be chosen and receive eight weeks of free training and mentorship every Saturday from 25 August. During this time they will put together a comprehensive business plan. The top 10 business plans will be selected and presented to a panel of judges on 25 October. Besides funding, winners will also receive 12 months of business support from ICCIT and its mentors.
“ICCIT is committed to help grow and strengthen local business through a variety of networking, business support and training platforms. The Entrepreneur is just one of our ways to improve the economic future and quality of life for all,” said Tilbrook.
