The annual #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge, hosted by the City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department, ended on a high note when the category winners were announced last night. The awards ceremony was held at the Banqueting Hall at the Civic Centre.
The #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge, a six week programme that started on 17 April 2024 is an accelerator programme aimed at assisting entrepreneurs with skills development and innovation. Participants competed in five categories which included manufacturing, agriculture/farming, tourism, finance and business services and information technology.
The competition was open to both existing businesses and those with business ideas.
This year the challenge played host to 91 entries across the above mentioned categories.
Twenty participants competed in the final round. They attended a series of training sessions in preparation for pitching ideas before an adjudication panel.
The top three winners in the existing businesses category were:
· Charnelle Davids – Khula Cosmetics
· Katlego Montewa – Promage Consulting
· Yanga Ngcayisa – YNOT Health
In the business ideas categories, the winners were:
Manufacturing: Siphokuhle Mcotshana – Mcotshana Holding
Agriculture: Chad Wyngaard – Hydroponic Solar Container Farming
Finance & Business Services: Prince Malandela Masimini – Sip Spot Café
Information Technology (IT): Oratile Keamogetse Mojaki – Connect Student
Tourism: Wilmarie January – Tour Operator – Cape Tourian
Apart from lessons learned and support provided throughout the programme, those who took to the podium also walked away with various prizes which included continuous mentoring and business coaching support, marketing interventions, access to office space and facilities, amongst others.
‘It’s exciting to see so many young entrepreneurs participating in the programme, and win or lose, I hope that everyone found some benefit from their time with us this year. Youthstart is a stepping stone for young business minds to create opportunities for themselves, and others, but also the economy. We hope that those who completed the programme will share their experiences, and be a motivation to other entrepreneurs to enter the programme next year. Congratulations to all the winners – we hope your newly acquired skills will be an investment and pay dividends in the business environment,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
