2019 #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge begins

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The #YouthStartCT challenge is an accelerator programme for start-up entrepreneurs, with the main aim to encourage entrepreneurship and contribute to skills development and innovation in Cape Town.

"We want young people to come up with new and innovative entrepreneurial ideas for boosting employment in their communities. We will provide training and development opportunities for start-ups, while the winners will be given the chance to partner with the City on projects that will uplift job seekers and provide sustainable employment opportunities," said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

#YouthStartCT aims to provide young Cape Town entrepreneurs with an opportunity to start up or grow their business. The programme supports entrepreneurs in commercialising, expanding as well as monetizing their businesses through their practical training and mentorship programme.

In order to be eligible, candidates are required to have a start-up idea that is already, or has the potential to create sustainable jobs.

With developments in the digital space and the scarcity of natural resources, a need has been identified to have dedicated categories that will call for innovative business ideas in the following:

• Hydroponics
  
• Water-Savings
  
• App Development
  
• Social Development

The competition is open to Cape Town residents aged between 18 and 35 and they are given the opportunity to focus on a specific challenge and develop innovative business ideas that will benefit their community.

Competitors are offered support to help them commercialise their solutions through a dynamic training and mentorship programme, which is focused on developing both the entrepreneur and their business idea.

The top 100 entries will be offered after-hours training and mentoring, and weekly elimination rounds will take place in order to determine the winners.

The top 10 are offered further mentoring with the top three winners being announced at a gala event.

Entrants must:

1. Come up with an innovative idea for creating employment in your community.
   
2. Compulsory: make a short video explaining your idea and upload it to a public video platform e.g.YouTube. Don’t forget to include the URL in your entry form.
   
3. Complete the YouthStartCT entry form – online applications only.
   
4. Submit your entry. Entries close on Sunday 19 May 2019.
   

To enter, visit: www.capetown.gov.za/youthstart.