Starting a business, while rewarding, is not without its hardships and challenges. These challenges include developing an effective and well researched business plan, through to finding suitable finance. Knowing these areas to be distinct weaknesses for some start-ups, we have compiled a number of services which may be helpful for your business at this stage.
We note that although many entrepreneurs start with strong capabilities and personal instincts on how to succeed, there are also many who start businesses with limited knowledge and resources on how to grow a business. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why a high percentage of businesses in the SME category tend to fail each year, frequently within the first two years of operation.
Within any field of business endeavour, there are opportunities as well as limitations in being a smaller company or start-up. Getting a business model right is important not only at the start of a business, but also refining it through the whole business lifecycle.
The services we offer for start-ups are :
Business Concept Analysis
If you have a business idea, and are not sure if it is viable, we have created a package to help you make an informed decision as to whether the concept may prove to be successful. With this package, we will conduct an in-depth study of the proposed business concept and provide a scientific assessment on whether there is value to be realised in undertaking the opportunity. If the concept is viable, we have a number of other tools which will help you along the way. These tools include access to finance for your business concept as well as specialist advice at your fingertips.
Business Sector Assessment
If you have a business idea, and are reasonably confident in the concept, you may find that a sector assessment be better suited to your needs. Sector assessments look at a proposed sector to determine the level of competition and the strategies that these competitors are likely to be focusing on. This will allow suitable entry points into the market to be determined so that your offering has the best chance of success.
Funding
We are currently working with partners to source funding for small to medium sized businesses in the form of grants, vouchers,short and term loans .
SEDA | NYDA | ECDC |
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SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is an agency of the Department of Small Business Development. Seda was established in December 2004, through the National Small Business Amendment Act, Act 29 of 2004. It is mandated to implement government’s small business strategy; design and implement a standard and common national delivery network for small enterprise development; and integrate government-funded small enterprise support agencies across all tiers of government. Seda’s mission is to develop, support and promote small enterprises throughout the country, ensuring their growth and sustainability in co–ordination and partnership with various role players, including global partners, who make international best practices available to local entrepreneurs. |
NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
The Business Consultancy Services Voucher Programme (BCSVP) is an NYDA programme that is designed to provide quality business development support to young entrepreneur.This is done with aim of enhancing the young entrepreneur’s participation in the mainstream economy. Young entrepreneurs are able to receive one-on-one business development support, between the values of R6000 to R18000, from a NYDA accredited service provider. These service providers are professional companies that have the relevant skills and experience that can assist the young entrepreneurs in developing their businesses in areas such as marketing, bookkeeping and financial administration, due diligence etc. Download the full products and service list here. These service are issued in the form of Each young person is entitled to 4 vouchers.
Qualifying Criteria:
Before you apply for the BCSVP, make sure you are:
EICT have assisted over 100 clients for voucher program through NYDA. We have been services providers for the past 7 years. |
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE & BUSINESS SUPPORT ECDC’s small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMME) are key to enhanced economic growth and development for South Africa.ECDC’s interventions are geared towards providing support, resources, investment and capital opportunities to SMMEs – the result – maximum development impact.FINANCIAL SUPPORT Criteria for finance
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