Startup Africa

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Kickstart, Young entrepreneurs can get up to 2.6 million in grants

The Kickstart awards is a programme aimed at 18-35 year old entrepreneurs in South Africa. The programme aims to stimulate entrepreneurship in people from previously disadvantaged communities. Winning entreprenuers can get grants of up to R 2.6 million, as well as mentorship and training which last between 6 months to a year.

Biz community reports that “almost 22,700 existing and budding entrepreneurs have already benefited from KickStart and more than 3 200 businesses have been started by KickStart participants.” and “Sixty-four percent of grant winners from 2001 to 2005 are still in business, with 87% of those who received grants in 2004 and 2005 still operating. No fewer than 83% of SAB KickStarters have reported that their businesses are growing, and the turnover of KickStart businesses has increased by an average of 375%. Almost one third supply goods and services to SAB. Many of these enterprises have grown into multi-million rand organisations employing a significant amount of people.”

Entrepreneurs that wish to enter, should complete a form found on the kickstart website and submit it before the 18 June.

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