2016 Entrepreneur of the Year competition finalists announced

Updated on 15 July 2016

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Today's top entrepreneurship and business stories (15 July)

15 standout entrants have made it through to the final round of the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year competition sponsored by Sanlam and Business Partners, with the ultimate winners to be announced in September.

According to Gugu Mjadu, spokesperson for the competition, there was a steep increase in the number of entries received this year in comparison to the 2015 competition.

“We are thrilled to announce that we received 213 entries this year, which is one of the highest number recorded to date, and an impressive increase of 40% compared to last year. The large number of entries has certainly raised the overall standard of the competition and is a testament to the thriving level of entrepreneurial talent and success present in the country. We would like to congratulate and commend all entrants, as these are the individuals who bring about positive change and fuel job growth – helping the South African economy and communities to grow,” Mjadu adds.

Mjadu says that there was also an increase in the number of female entries, “We are delighted at the consistent growth in the number of entries from female entrepreneurs which reached a new high growing to more than 38% of the total participant pool, up from 29% of entries in 2015. Female entrepreneurs are also particularly well represented in the group of finalists, making up 60% of the entries that are through to the final round.”

The 2016 finalists stand the chance to win prizes worth R2 million, which include cash prizes to the value of R425 000. “Beyond monetary prices, previous finalists have benefitted greatly from the various networking opportunities and associated media exposure that the competition offers. Past winners have also gone on to win international awards and form valuable partnerships as a result of their success in the competition.”

Winners will be announced on 1 September 2016 at the official awards breakfast in Johannesburg. “We eagerly await the final stages of this year’s competition and wish all the finalists the best of luck,” concludes Mjadu.

Finalists for the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition sponsored by Sanlam and Business Partners are:

Carl and Peter Pretorius – Just Trees; Dillon Jearey – Kilowatt Audio Visual Pty Ltd; Michael Roberts – Robhur Management T/A Future Talent; Barry Nigel Gould – CAPCO; Cara Nortman – SSQ Exhibitions; Nerina Smith – Smithland Guest Apartments; Johan Eksteen – Pelleting Machinery T/A Agricon; Mishje Cooper – ZooZoo Land Daycare; Gali Gaon Segall – Yemaya Group; Meisie Nkosi – Scarper Traders T/A Bella Bonni Guest House; Lucas Frederick Van Wyk – Advance Fenestration; Stacey Brewer – Spark Schools T/A eAdvance; Corrie Van Der Wath and Nelisiwe Magubane – Matleng Energy Solutions; Chanette Goosen – Rush Extreme Sports; Vanessa Jacobs – Sow Delicious.

Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa applications for 2016 now open
The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa invites prospective vibrant and hard-working entrepreneurs with scalable and sustainable businesses to apply to the Entrepreneur Development Programme for 2016.

The Entrepreneur Development Programme is a two day accelerated course, with courses scheduled for July, August and September 2016.

The Business must be in existence for a minimum of 12 months, be registered, have an annual turnover of R250 000 (Bank and financial statements are required as proof). The applicant must be a South African citizen.

For more information and application form, visit the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa website.

Standard Bank and Branded Youth bring youthful hope back
Branded Youth, with headline sponsor Standard Bank, has developed a platform aimed at providing South African matriculants and university students with the tools needed to navigate the volatile economic environment: the Standard Bank Youth Expo, to be held on the 6 and 7 August this year at the Sandton Convention Centre.

“There’s a greater need for brands and organisations to engage with the youth of South Africa to ensure that they are educated and empowered for the future, we therefore designed The Standard Bank Youth Expo as a platform that will fully cater to this,” says  Bradley Maseko, MD of Branded Youth.

The Standard Bank Youth Expo will run as a career exhibition and youth conference with the aim of inspiring and assisting South Africa’s future leaders, entrepreneurs and all-round ambitious value-seekers by offering them access to networks, organisations and information that will have a valuable impact on their professional journeys.

“Our research and the current political climate show that South African youth are concerned about their future outlook,” says Motlatsi Mkalala, senior manager for Youth Customer Financial Solutions at Standard Bank South Africa. “They are afraid of becoming another unemployment statistic, failed entrepreneurs, or being unable to afford their tertiary tuition. The Standard Bank Youth Expo will show them that this does not have to be the case. The Youth Expo will provide all the resources necessary that can help turn dreams of future success and prosperity into reality.”

Furthermore, through the expo, Standard Bank and Branded Youth aim to raise R3 million through sponsorships, exhibitor contributions, donations from the public at large including private businesses. Once achieved, the money will be donated to various tertiary institutions, so they can award bursaries to deserving students.

For more information, to book your exhibition stand or for the conference schedule, visit the expo page here. Visit www.ADDaBIT.com, go to search fund and insert the fund code ‘ACHNZAAHUw’. On the Fund Page click “add-a-bit” to start contributing.

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