"We hope to attract those in the technology space but we are open to any compelling businesses and business ideas," says Lara Rosmarin, CEO of Seed Academy. Emerging entrepreneurs are equipped to either start their own businesses or to take their business to the next level.
The focus of the Seed Academy 'Think. Be. Do' training is on personal and leadership development, sound business skills, creation of a business plan as well as pitching skills to attract funding. Entrepreneurs are offered rich experiential learning and are well equipped to either launch or improve their own businesses. The programme is practical and is facilitated by entrepreneurs giving the programme credibility and relevant insight.
The experiential learning is enhanced after the course with an alumni programme offering master class events and networking opportunities.
Says Rosmarin, "We aim to educate and empower entrepreneurs with hands on useful training with the key focus on launching or dramatically improving their ventures. We nurture and develop skill sets, minds sets, attitudes and behaviour of potential high growth entrepreneurs."
Sponsors utilise enterprise development funding to support the creation of additional South African entrepreneurs which are desperately needed so Seed Academy is able to offer Think. Be. Do training free. Rosmarin continues, "It's not just about the points. Historically we have seen corporates trying to get BEE points but with a programme like Seed Academy we directly benefit many young business owners who then support the communities or industries that they serve. The programme offers a real return on investment as the process is monitored and evaluated to ensure goals are being met."
Over the last few years, job creation, as well as the development of entrepreneurs, has been at the forefront of the South African Government's mandate on account of South Africa's 25% unemployment rate. 50% of South Africa's youth are without work or income. The latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2013 reported that South Africa has the lowest nascent entrepreneurship rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, however Gauteng and KZN have the highest rates of aspiring entrepreneurs).
Entrepreneurs are invited to apply for the programme which opens on 30 September 2014. The intake thereafter will be in October 2014.
For more, go to www.seedacademy.co.za.
