Leading SMME players, who primarily focus on start-ups and development, founded SiMODiSA.
"We are excited to be a part of such an important initiative, which is aimed at creating constructive dialogues and combining the efforts of both public and private sector stakeholders to jointly address systemic obstacles in the SMME environment," says Heather Lowe, Head of Enterprise Development at FNB Business.
Jason Goldberg, SiMODiSA says, "South Africa can no longer afford to persist with the current environment, which is restrictive to entrepreneurs. We commend the government's move to introduce a dedicated ministry for small business but there is more work to be done in the legislative framework. If we plan to reach economic growth levels around 5% of GDP and create jobs, we need to show a great deal of support for entrepreneurs."
The conference will serve as platform to mobilise the knowledge, expertise, experience and participation of SiMODiSA members in a holistic manner that will jointly create a robust ecosystem wherein entrepreneurs can thrive.
"It is great to have FNB taking the lead in practically supporting the early stage venturing environment, and contributing to the organisation's efforts to unlock latent SMME growth and sustainable job creation. Its participation certainly demonstrates thought leadership and a willingness to assist its clients at a more fundamental level, and not within the core business of a commercial bank," concludes Goldberg.
The conference will bring together leading venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and start-ups from across South Africa. The speaker line-up includes entrepreneur and scientist, Siyabulela Xuza; founder of Yola, CEO Gyft & Dragon on Dragon's Den SA, Vinny Lingham; Harvard educated MD of Omidyar Network, Malik Fal; Telkom Group CEO, Sipho Maseko; and venture capitalist, Michael Jordaan.
At the end of the conference, one start-up will win an opportunity to be part of an incubator programme in Silicon Valley, San Francisco in the US. Another lucky winner will be awarded a local business development support package, delivered through Vumela, FirstRand's Enterprise Development Fund.
