The City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department (DSD) is once again calling on youth entrepreneurs looking for opportunities to grow and maintain a youth-owned business to pitch for the annual #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge.
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The #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge, which aims to contribute to business skills development, innovation and growth of young local entrepreneurs, is the City’s accelerator programme for South African youth between the ages of 18 and 35.
According to the DSD, interested applicants will need to pitch an existing business or potential business proposals to a panel of judges, in under three minutes.
The overall winner of the challenge will be given the chance to partner with the City on projects that benefit jobseekers and provide long-term employment opportunities.
‘This year, there will be four opportunities at City facilities throughout the Metropole where youth entrepreneurs can apply to pitch,’ said the City.
Applications to pitch will take place between 8am and 3pm at the following venues:
- Bellville Library Hall: 19 February 2024
- Grassy Park Civic: 26 February 2024
- Parow Civic: 7 March 2024
- Van Riebeeck Hall, Kuils River: 11 March 2024
The City added that while applicants are able to pitch at any of the four venues, they are only able to pitch once. Additionally, only the first 50 participants to register on the day will be able to pitch.
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Applicants should also take note that existing businesses or potential business proposals should fall within one of the following categories:
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture/farming
- Tourism
- Finance and business services
- Information technology
In their pitches, applicants must also show how their existing business or potential business idea can be profitable and sustainable within one of the above-mentioned categories.
Shortlisted applicants will then be notified via email on 14 and 15 March 2024, and will proceed to the first round of the challenge where training and mentoring workshops will be offered to help further develop the participants’ businesses and proposals.
Thereafter, the participants will be required to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges from 3 April 2024, and every week a number of entrants will be eliminated from the competition.
The City said the winner will be announced at a gala dinner on 29 May 2024, with various prizes including cash awards, customised business support, mentoring and development guidance up for grabs.
‘The #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge is a wonderful opportunity to learn new business skills, participate in network opportunities and create marketing opportunities for business growth or to start a new business,’ said City’s MMC for Community Service and Health Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
‘We would like to invite all young entrepreneurs to apply and, if successful, to use the opportunities to learn and be creative in setting up a new business or unlock the growth potential of an existing business,’ she added.
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook