SAB is supporting young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and become sustainable entities that can create jobs.

SAB KickStart is a youth entrepreneurial programme aimed at assisting small business owners who are between the ages of 18 and 35 who want to elevate their businesses to new heights. The programme was first developed in 1995 as a youth enterprise development programme to alleviate poverty amongst South Africa’s previously disadvantaged youth and foster a spirit of entrepreneurship. We believe in the power of youth as key drivers of our country’s economy. As a result, we are committed to enabling a game-changing impact of empowering local youth owned businesses to become reliable suppliers to industry organizations sustainably.

SAB KickStart is SAB’s flagship enterprise development programme, we have invested over R100 million in entrepreneurial development, supported 24 558 entrepreneurs and empowered 3 458 youth-owned businesses in South Africa. The programme has extended across the continent in various forms and now takes place in at least 6 countries in Africa.

SAB KickStart has since evolved to a more strategic and targeted development programme that enables youth to have a real voice and play an active role in the economy by running successful and sustainable, youth-led businesses. This ambition aligns with and assists government to achieve its national development goals. We are aware that on average 70% of small businesses fail in the first 1-3 years of operation. We wish to ensure that those that operate in key high potential industries, and are led by young, ambitious and driven owners, are fully supported in their entrepreneurial journey through fit-for-purpose knowledge, tools and processes that will assist them to succeed long-term.

Competition Criteria

SAB KickStart is a supplier readiness programme that’s built around a key objective: Enabling high potential youth owned business to become suppliers of various organisations in the private and public sector, thereby fast-tracking the transformation of the economy. A large focus of our programme addresses the key challenges met by small business owners- accessing supply chains. Supply chain readiness includes access to operational processes and tools, business skills support, fit for purpose mentorship, financial and non-financial resources, and an overall level of competitiveness driven by the right capabilities and capacity that will ensure delivery as an emerging supplier.

Furthermore, SAB KickStart also leverages on innovation to drive participation of youth in entrepreneurship in urban, and especially in peri-urban areas.

SAB KickStart Boost

SAB KickStart Boost is a supply chain readiness programme. Its key objective is to support high-potential youth-owned business to become suppliers to organisations in the private and public sector, thereby increasing their success, and fast-tracking transformation of the economy. We back entrepreneurs with existing businesses that provide products and services that are aligned to supply chain needs, by helping them to grow into sustainable businesses that create jobs.

SAB KickStart Boost is an intense 6-month programme that offers improved operational processes and tools, access to business skills support, fit-to-purpose mentorship, financial and non-financial resources, and targeted market access. The outcomes are an improved level of competitiveness driven by the right capabilities and capacities to ensure success as an emerging supplier.

For 2018, we are specifically looking for businesses within these areas:

1. Green Economy (e.g. Renewable energy, Waste Management, Recycling, Upcycling)
2. Logistics
3. Manufacturing
4. Technology
5. Professional services (e.g. HR, Legal, Financial services, Marketing)

STEP BY STEP: How the programme works

• Complete the application form.
• Candidates that meet the selection criteria will be shortlisted for the foundational phase.
• A selection process will identify finalists for the technical business development support phase.
• Graduation to the end of the programme will include further assessments based on targets and milestones reached.
• Potential outcomes include access to supply chain opportunities in SAB and partner organisations, and selection to more advanced supplier development programmes.

Boost Eligibility Criteria

1. You are aged 18 – 35.
2. You are a South African citizen by birth.
3. The business is black-owned* and managed
4. You have an existing business operating for more than 2 years.
5. You are at a post-revenue stage with a minimum of R200 000.
6. The business should be a going concern, commercially sustainable and viable.
7. The applicant is involved in the business’s daily operations and management on a full-time basis, and is not employed by any other organisation.

* means “Africans, Coloureds and Indians who are citizens of the Republic of South Africa by birth or descent or who became citizens of the Republic of South Africa by naturalisation – a) Before 27 April 1994; or b) On or after 27 April 1994 and who would have been entitled

Source: www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za