Promoting opportunity / getting applications

The recruitment and selection is based on a vigorous search and selection process using a balance between the criteria below and a psychometric aptitude test

  • Application process:
    • Entrepreneurs submit application form which includes:
      • Overview of business;
      • Products / offering of the business
      • Market research
      • Basic competitor study
      • History of business – reasons for starting the business
      • Number of employees
      • Annual/monthly turnover & profit
      • Predicted/ target future profits
      • Aims/goals for the business
      • Key learning, development & potential areas of growth
      • What are the entrepreneurs exspectations from the Seeds of Africa programme
      • Shortlisting identified busineses
      • Candidates attend an information session given detail on how the programme works where questions are answered
      • Candidates present their business pitch and are interviewed
      • Visit final shortlisted entrepreneurs at their business premises
      • Feasibility study and discussion on shortlisted businesses
      • Final selection of businesses

Business qualifying criteria

 

  • For the Incubate Phase the focus is on start-up enterprises to SMME level.
  • Business needs to be operating for at least 6 months and able to prove this by supplying references of work done.
  • For the Consolidate Phase the business needs to show an income of at least R10,000.00 per month.
  • For the Accelerate Phase the business needs to show an income of at least R30,000.00 per month.
  • Business is required to have a working smart phone and laptop
  • Both the business and the owner needs to show a clean criminal record and a healthy credit history.
  • An analysis of their entrepreneurial acumen is conducted to ascertain if they have the character and qualities they’ll need to be sustainable and create sustainable employment for themselves and others.

Consolidate Businesses  are required to be >51% black South African owned (as per the BBBEE Codes of Good Practice which include Black, Coloured and Indian.) They are assisted with Compliance and Financial guidance support.

Accelerate Businesses are required to be >51% black South African owned (as per the BBBEE Codes of Good Practice which include Black, Coloured and Indian.)

They are expected to have the following up to date:

  • Registered Company with CIPC
  • Annual CIPC renewal up to date
  • Annual Financial Statements
  • Monthly Accounting process in place
  • VAT/PAYE/UIF Registrations
  • Valid BBBEE Certificate
  • Valid SARS Tax Clearance Certificate
  • Businesses are >51% black South African owned (as per the BBBEE Codes of Good Practice which includes Black, Coloured and Indian)
  • Business owner needs to be employed full time in the business.
  • Business needs to be legal and contribute positively towards its community.
  • Business needs to have an active business bank account, be registered and comply with all business legalities.
  • All Consolidate businesses are required to submit their business accounts and proof of compliance regularly.