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Beyond Bank Loans: Creative Funding Solutions for Small Businesses

View this email in your browserOne of the most common questions we get in our DMs is “where can I get funding?” The answer to this is not easy, because it depends on a lot of things.There's also different options to funding, including:- Government institutions- Investment companies- Crowdfunding- Business incubators- Enterprise and Supplier Development

Different investors have different criteria – for example, there is funding for women-owned businesses (see this article) and for youth-owned businesses (see this article). In this Business Opportunities newsletter we bring you:- Business Opportunities to apply for- Competitions to enter your business into that can help you get FUNDING- Alternative ideas for funding your small business 

Be safe and take care!

Call for Applications - Opportunities to Apply for This Month (R&D Grants, FREE logos & designs)

Technology Innovation Agency (OILS) TIA invites experienced individuals who are beyond the proof of concept stage for applications along any part of the essential oils value-chain that can positively impact on smallholder producers (primary production, extraction and processing) to submit applications for further Research and Development (R&D) activities.

W&RSETA (ALL) Levy-paying small, medium and large companies that submitted Annexure II documents by 31 May 2020 are invited to apply for Discretionary Grants for the 2020/2021 financial year.

Harambean Network (ALL) Apply to compete for a spot in the network. As an Harambean, you’re able to apply for the Harambeans Prosperity Initiative which allocates $1,000,000 to provide low interest loans and equity investments to ventures Ad Crashers (ALL)10 Small Businesses stand the chance to win big advertising campaigns produced by Ad Crashers. 

- 67 Logos (ALL)The CWDi initiative, invites small business owners to apply to become one of 67 Small Businesses to get a free business logo designed for you by Mandela Day 18 July 2020.

JULY Hackathons

  • COVID-19 Water and Sanitation Hackathon (ALL)

  • GirlCodeHack (YOUNG WOMEN)

MORE INFO ON HOW TO APPLY HERE

Entries Open for the Accelerator Programmes

  • Fem-In-Tech Development Programme (WOMEN) - A female-focused entrepreneurship development programme for South African women. 

  • Business Accelerator Programme for women-lead businesses (PROPERTY) - Property Point is looking for 15 women-lead businesses within the property sector. 

  • Bridges for Enterprise (SOCIAL ENTERPRISES) - A six to 12-month incubation programme for selected social enterprise startups. 

  • Cartier Women's Initiative (WOMEN - An annual international entrepreneurship programme that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs

  • VC4A Mentorship Support (ALL) - Mentorship support entrepreneurs with a registered Venture profile on its platform

MORE INFO ON HOW TO APPLY HERE

The following content is sponsored by Visa:

Here's How Visa is Helping Small Merchants Through COVID-19

Visa is encouraging consumers to think about where they spend, and how shopping local can can help kick-start the COVID-19 recovery. To help small businesses to tackle the challenges facing them today, Visa has launched ‘Where You Shop Matters’. Through this initiative, they aim to provide focused support for small businesses and to encourage consumers to support the businesses in their communities.Visa has also conducted a survey to understand the needs of consumers and businesses. Based on the findings and insights, they will be rolling out a number of different programs to help get local economies adapting faster during and after the crisis, and to build resilience for a better future. This includes the Visa Small Business Hub, which will include resources for small businesses, including a digital toolkit with information and articles on how owners can enhance their business or start a new enterprise, and how to adapt to new digital ways of working.

ENTER Business Competitions! Win Funding & Gain Exposure

  • Business Ignite by Nedbank (SELECT) -  win a package valued at R260,000 which includes a cash injection, incubation  with a business growth expert and promotional airtime on 702 and CapeTalk

  • Entrepreneurship World Cup (ALL) - Get a chance to pitch on a global stage to win a share of US$1 million in cash prizes plus additional investment opportunities and US$75 million of in-kind support.

  • SLINGSHOT (SELECT) - startups to compete for cash grant prizes worth up to S$800,000

  • The New Generation: Social & Digital Media Awards (MEDIA & DIGITAL) - apply to get recognition for creative work in social and digital media

  • Online Seedstars World Competition 2020/21 (STARTUPS) -  stand a chance to get training on how to be investment-ready. The global winner will get USD 500,000 in equity investment. 

  • The AWIEF Awards (WOMEN) - The AWIEF Awards recognise and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa.

  • MTN App of the Year Awards (TECH) - The MTN App of the Year Awards celebrates local talent and out-of-the-box thinkers. 

  • BPI Challenge (STARTUPS) - For African startups that are looking to expand into European markets and need financing to facilitate such expansion

  • AfriFrance/KLM Challenge (STARTUPS) -For startups and projects that specialise in water analysis and/or purification

Have YOU always wanted to try crowdfunding? Platforms for SA Entrepreneurs

1. UPRISE.AFRICA (Equity-Based)

2. THE PEOPLE’S FUND (Royalty based)

3. THUNDAFUND (Rewards based)

4. LIVESTOCK WEALTH (Equity based)

5. SOUTH AFRICAN ANGEL INVESTMENT NETWORK (Membership model)

6. JUMPSTARTER (Rewards based)