Young entrepreneurs invited to pitch start-up ideas

Successful pitches will gain access to an SAB funded programme comprising business development support and stand a chance of winning grant funding in the form of seed capital.

The initiative, called The Lean Jump, is a pilot targeting young entrepreneurs based in Gauteng and is the brainchild of SAB KickStart, SAB's youth entrepreneurship programme; The Hookup Dinner (THUD), an entrepreneurship networking platform; and Edge Growth, specialists in enterprise and supplier development.

Potential participants of The Lean Jump are invited to pitch their ideas at #THUDJozi Mandela Day Special at 9am Braamfontein, 19 Melle Street by the Branson Center of Entrepreneurship. To participate, register your name on www.thehookupdinner.co.za/the-leanjump.html to receive a formal invitation and/or go to thehookupdinner.co.za/the-leanjump.html and register.

Six months of virtual business mentorship

Entrepreneurs with successful pitches on Mandela Day will be provided with six months of virtual business mentorship as well as grant funding to invest in growing their business idea or business operations currently not older than six months.

Edge Growth will assist successful pitches, providing entrepreneurs with business development support services, throughout the programme. Edge Growth will apply best practice start-up growth methodology, entrenching behaviours and practices in start-ups that will increase the likelihood that the will succeed.

Once they complete their six-month business intervention programme, SAB KickStart will provide 10 successful candidates with an opportunity to participate in its youth entrepreneurship development competition. Successful businesses will also stand a chance to get a share of R300,000 as seed capital. Seed capital is for the use of putting the business concept into operation or towards additional support for marginal growth.

To participate, register on www.thehookupdinner.co.za/the-leanjump.html to receive a formal invitation.