JOHANNESBURG – We have always known that support and intervention for SMMEs are inevitable especially this period when most of them are negatively impacted by novel coronavirus outbreak. Many of them are worried if they will have an operational business when national lockdown is over. For almost 3 months a large number of small, medium and micro enterprise owners have suffered zero revenue generation due to low economic activities and government’s unavoidable COVID-19 containment measures restricting business operation to essential services only.
This intervention programme will highlight the imperative need to ensure that SMMEs remain relevant and capitalised during and post global pandemic national lockdown. They will learn how to maximise revenue opportunities using readily available and accessible digital technology platforms.
Innovation for SMMEs is not always about using sophisticated technology tools or fully digital production process. It can also come in the form of new business models, creating new lines of products, better efficiency in production processes, as well as in intensifying their promotion efforts online—all to ensure that their products are competitive and relevant to the ever-changing market demands.
According to the data provided by the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), formal and informal Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) make up over 90% of all firms and account on average for 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP.
That is the reason why the General Assembly decided to declare 27 June the Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day to raise public awareness of their contribution to sustainable development and global economy.
67CEOs Foundation together with its business development partners will run a 22 day national virtual competitions. Small, medium and micro enterprise owners across South Africa will record a 60 seconds pitch video, post it on major social media platforms – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin using #MegaPitchFest and tag @67CEOs.
For 22 days, starting from 27 June which is the UN International MSME (SMME) Day until International Mandela Day – 18 July (the 67CEOs Foundation’s 4th annual Entrepreneurship & Mentorship Day), three (3) independent adjudicators will assess submitted pitch videos, choose finalists and announce winner(s) via Zoom while we broadcast on YouTube or Facebook live.
What are we looking for in a 60 seconds pitch
- Entrepreneur must mention the business name, location (PROVINCE), USP, team size and industry.
- Entrepreneur must demonstrate adequate industry and niche market knowledge.
- Cash prize accountability. How will SMME allocate cash prize to business sustainability throughout national lockdown levels.
- New innovative business model. What are they doing differently since COVID-19 pandemic.
- How will they reach markets beyond their surrounding communities.
- [OPTIONAL] Must include data-driven business relevance post-pandemic.
Eligibility
Founder must be South African, business must be registered in 2019 or older, business bank account and tax compliance.
Prizes and Benefits
The winner in each province gets R5000 zero-equity cash grant plus 5 page website/eCommerce/social media marketing worth R5000. Submission closes 17 July 2020 at 12noon local time. In this competition, everyone is a winner. If you don’t win the cash prize and digital marketing, your business will benefit from the social media coverage.
Terms & Conditions apply.
LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN!
For corporate partnership and sponsorship, proposal is available on request.
For media enquiries, interview requests and other queries please contact: Sam Apata – sam@67ceos.org or call 076 967 2318.
ABOUT 67CEOs Foundation
At 67CEOs™ Foundation NPC (2018/343943/08) – Inspiring Possibility Thinking. We convene CEOs to mentor, educate, inspire and invest in young people, startup entrepreneurs and SMMEs. CEOs volunteer their time, expertise and resources as a form individual social responsibilities through active participation in our programmes. Our programmes are educational, socio-economic and enterprise development inclined. When required, we appoint accredited professional mentors to guide and assist start-up entrepreneurs scale their businesses, while CEOs serves as business coach and receives reports about mentor-mentee relationship.
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