The Standard Bank Kasi SME Summit with Kaya 959 was a phenomenal success, equipping entrepreneurs from across the province with strategies to take back and undertake a start-up for the business market.
Masterclasses were put together with influential business experts who gave delegates insight into Business Compliane, Financing, Accessing Markets, and the Macro-Environmental factors impacting SMEs.
Standard Bank Head of Enterprise Banking, Deenash Pillay set the pace, followed by Business Scientist and Entrepreneurial Inventor, Ludwick Marishane who challenged delegates into thinking about what the country requires in order to prosper.
Progamme Director and Kaya Biz presenter Gugulethu Mfuphi offered remarkable feedback of the first Kasi SME Summit, crediting the event for bringing entrepreneurs together to listen, learn, share their frustrations and gain tangible solutions to the challenges they face.
“Lenders and leaders in the room shared their insight into the fundamentals that business owners are typically faced with and shared solutions, whilst highlighting the importance of seeking guidance, mentorship and support in sharing their ideas, and being agile enough to meet te market needs that they aim to achieve.
Understanding the importance of not just focusing on building a business but an inclusive society where we also serve in regulatory, policy roles so that business owners can implement a multi-pronged approach to serving society.
For the many challenges we face, as many solutions will need to be sourced, lessons and adaptations were shared by all key stakeholders in the room who have made a committment to assist SME development in South Africa.”
Eight business who bought tickets to the Kasi SME Summi were pre-selected to take part in the Standard Bank Elevator Pitch Challenge for a chance at winning a share of R170 000 in business funding.
Each contestant was given 5-minutes to present an “elevator pitch” to the audience and judges after a rigorous coaching session by Selebogile “Lebo” Molefe, MD of The Biz Plug.
The Top 3 businesses in the Elevator Pitch Challenge were:
- First prize: Helping Hands – winner of R100 000 funding
- Second prize: Sobae Frozen – winner of R40 000 funding
- Third prize: Ditebogo Gifts – winner of R30 000 funding
Standard Bank also announced that the participants in the Elevator Pitch Challenge would receive POS systems.
SOURCE: KAYAFM
