The first participants of 11 small business operators in the SME TradeLinks Incubator Programme recently completed the first six-month incubation.
GM of the Soweto Hotel, Samke Malevu (centre), receiving her Certificate of Completion from Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo (left), Owner of the Soweto Hotel, guest speaker of the ceremony, Deputy Chair of the Tourism B-BBEE Charter Council and Director of Operations at City Lodge Hotels Group; with Rod Cusens, SME TradeLinks Incubator Resident Expertaption
The graduation ceremony was held on December 7.
The SME TradeLinks Small Business Incubator programme is located within the Inanda Greens Business Park in Wierda Valley, Sandton, Johannesburg, on premises sponsored by the international bank, Credit Suisse.
The facility has the capacity to host up to 15 enterprises per intake and features fully kitted workstations, offices for mentors and facilitators and meeting rooms.
The incubator offers a number of business development services, comprising advisory services, coaching, mentoring, skills development training, market access facilitation, as well as access to finance through a strategic partnership with newly established Fintech Company, FundingHub.
The incubator’s aim is to provide support that will allow growth acceleration for young and emerging enterprises, increasing their chances of becoming sustainable.
Dr. Salifou Siddo, SME TradeLinks Chief Executive explained that the launch of the SME TradeLinks Small Business Incubation Programme, in June 2017, was a major milestone in the company’s strategy for meeting the needs of small businesses. “The programme provides the ideal platform for young entrepreneurs to learn, network, receive support and advice from highly qualified mentors and business experts, as well as from fellow incubates,” said Siddo.
According to Rod Cusens, the SME TradeLinks Incubator Resident Expert, the incubation programme and its curriculum were designed and built on the principles that, in order to succeed, small businesses need access to information, skills, advice and finance. The incubation programme covered a wide range of topics related to those needs.
Due to time limitations, the programme followed a flexible delivery format, combining site visits, one-on-one mentoring and coaching sessions, as well as monthly group sessions.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Margaret Salome Mouton, the Owner of EQS Events Management, an SMME sponsored by Reed Exhibitions, said: “We have learned a great deal from this programme. We have acquired knowledge and skills that will take us very far on our entrepreneurial journey.”
There will be two Incubation sessions this year. One from March 15 until August 15 and the other will run from June 15 until November 15. Each session can accommodate 15 participants from various sub-sectors of the tourism industry.
For more information email: info@smetradelinks.co.za or Dr. Salifou Siddo at Salifou@smetradelinks.co.za.
