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Find the Best Fibre Options for Business in the SME Tech Solutions
We are officially in Level 2 of the lockdown. We're excited that it opens up a lot of opportunities all around, but mostly for the tourism industry
September is Tourism Month and to celebrate the easing of travel restrictions we will be launching a Support Your Tourism SME campaign (keep an eye on all our socials and here). September also has plenty of other Business Opportunities for YOU. We have Funding, Call for Applications, Competitions and Business Support available this month, including in the following industries - steel, tech, energy, film, agriculture, the food industry and digital marketing. ++++ PLUS ++++- Find the Best Fibre Options for Business in the SME Tech Solutions section. - Introducing Vodalend's Business Funding - it's easy and accessible! Be safe and take care!
***** APPLY! APPLY! APPLY ****
**** Business Opportunities & Support Programmes (Steel, E-Commerce & MORE)!****
SAB Foundation’s Tholoana Enterprise Programme (SMEs)
Two-year business support programme that offers seed funding and assistance with access to markets.
SAICA Development Programme (Energy sector)
SAICA Enterprise Development is offering a programme for business owners who are seeking support and growth opportunities for themselves.
Facebook’s Global Grants Programme (All)
Facebook is supporting 217 small businesses in South Africa with a grant of over R8,5 million; the grants will be provided as a combination of cash and ad credits.
NFVF COVID-19 Relief Fund (Film)
Independent freelance practitioners, and technical and production crew in the film and television industry who have been affected and infected by the COVID-19 pandemic, can apply for this relief fund, which provides grants of up to R10,000 per applicant.
The IDC’s Agro-processing and Agriculture Strategic Business Unit (Agriculture)
The IDC encourages new or existing companies within the agro-processing and agriculture sector that plan to create new or expand industrial capacity within the economy to apply for this fund.
Harambeans (All)
Harambean are invited to apply for the Harambeans Prosperity Initiative which allocates $1,000,000 to provide low-interest loans and equity investments to ventures.
MORE INFO ON HOW TO APPLY HERE
Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs Africa (Financial services, healthcare, the sustainable agriculture value chain, etc.)
E4E (“Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs”) is a venture capital fund that is backed by a founding investment from the SA SME Fund. It specialises in supporting early-stage ventures in South Africa from very early-stage (pre-series A) to scale-up.
NFVF Virtual Classes (Filmmaking industry)
Filmmakers can apply to participate in virtual classes. The eight modules include a documentary storytelling course, distribution and marketing, the business of the filmmaking industry and the foundation of animation.
Boost With Facebook Digital Skills Training (All)
Digify Africa in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development is delivering online digital marketing skills training in August and September 2020. Each session is 90 minutes long.
Usizo Programme (STEEL)
Black Umbrellas is calling all 51% + black-owned SMEs in the steel sector to join the Usizo Programme (an initiative by Macsteel).
Facebook Accelerator: Commerce (B2B or B2B2C Startups)
It is a 12-week non-equity program supporting innovative commerce startups who renew shopping experiences for buyers and sellers.
Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship (WRITERS)
African creatives writing fiction or non-fiction can write for a living and receive a grant of £18,000, paid (monthly) over twelve months.
MORE INFO ON HOW TO APPLY HERE
The following content is sponsored by Vodalend.
Matlhogonolo Ledwaba, founder and CEO of The Bread Box Bakery, says her bakery business started in her kitchen in early 2017. However, soon they got to a point where their domestic stove could not cope with the growing volume of orders.“We approached VodaLend which forms part of Vodacom Financial Services. Their requirements were simple and the application process was online, quick and user-friendly,” she says. With funding secured, Matlhogonolo was able to purchase an industrial-scale oven as well as the equipment needed to start a baking school for the local community.
*****Business Competitions - Win Funding & Gain Exposure****
Shoprite’s 2020 Hustle Competition (SMALL BUSINESS)The competition will award 20 established small business owners (winners) each with R50 000 in cash. The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation (ENGINEERING)A chance to be a winner of £25,000 along with three runners-up, who are each awarded £10,000.
MORE INFO ON HOW TO APPLY HERE
Safe@Home Hackathon (TECH)South African developer community invited to create and develop technology-based solutions to help victims of gender-based violence and vulnerable women and children. MTN App of the Year Awards (TECH)The MTN App of the Year Awards celebrates local talent and out-of-the-box thinkers who drive disruption and change. TechWomen100 Awards (TECH, WOMEN)Women working in the technology industry can be nominated for categories including the “Global Award for Achievement” category.
MORE INFO ON HOW TO APPLY HERE
**** Incubator/Accelerator Programmes Open for Entrepreneurs ****
VC4A Startup Academy (ALL) – This is an online resource for startup founders where you can get access to the latest industry insights, start-up tools and methodologies needed to take your business to the next level.
The Marketing Incubator (ALL) - Business incubation programme providing marketing strategies for products and services created by SMEs.
Makers Landing (FOOD, SMALL BUSINESS) - V&A Waterfront in partnership with the National Treasury’s Job Fund created the incubation hub Makers Landing.
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship Programme (STUDENTS) – Fellowship recipients can get support and development to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, as well as funding for university studies. Hatch
community for entrepreneurs (ALL) – This is a community of African
entrepreneurs, allowing startups to have access to a global network.
MORE INFO ON HOW TO APPLY HERE
SME Solutions - Let Us Guide You On Your Next Tech Purchase
Fibre, also referred to as fibre optic, harnesses the speed of light by transferring data through means of glass cabling. It is the fastest and most reliable form of internet connectivity currently available.
Did You Know that in 2018 ADSL usage dropped to 56% among SMEs, while fibre increased to 23%
How you choose the right product for your business: Choose an lSP that works for you and your business. Look out for these key features:
Uncapped fibre: this means that you will not run out of data
Unshaped fibre: the internet service provider will not limit what you do on the internet.
Unthrottled fibre: the internet service provider will not slow down the speed of your internet.
Find the best fibre for your business - READ OUR REVIEW of some of the biggest fibre providers out there:
Home Connect
RSAWEB
Active Fibre
Budget: the prices vary depending on the ISP and what they offer you in their package. Prices start from R880.
Read the SME Solutions - Fibre To The Business Review HERE
