The Entrepreneur 2025 launches in George

GEORGE NEWS - Tuition, mentoring and healthy competition, all in the interest of helping local business soar, is what The Entrepreneur 2025 programme has in store for this year's selected participants.

Launched at the George Golf Club on Thursday 19 June, convenors, adjudicators, mentors and sponsors announced entries open and unpacked the exciting ins and outs of this year's 10-week business accelerator programme.

Proudly presented by the George Business Chamber and partners including ACSA, George Herald, Algoa FM, NMU, AHI Western Cape, Envestpro, and AP Business Coaching and Consulting, this is the third edition of the Entrepreneur programme in the Garden Route.

The Ilembe Chamber in Ballito pioneered the programme 15 years ago and the Nelson Mandela Metro Chamber has come on board for the first time this year, completing a formidable trio of business chambers nurturing and accelerating sustainable local business within their areas of influence.

The programme will commence on 26 July and run until the end of October with tuition sessions taking place on Satruday mornings between 9:00 and 13:00. Accordint the George Chamber's website, competition winners will be judged on the perceived potential of their business, programme participation and attendance, as well as the content of their business plan, and a presentation to a panel of adjudicators.

At the tail end of the programme, The Entrepreneur 2025 exhibition is where finalists will be offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase their business before winners are announced there. Prize money in the form of business development funding will be disbursed to the winners in line with the submitted business plans.

"Small business development is where job creation starts, " said George Municipality deputy mayor, Browen Johnson, highlighting the key role small business development plays in addressing the country's massive unemployment crisis.

He said entrepreneurs are the architects of our future and the ripple effect of their impact stretched beyond balance sheets, deep into the fabric of our society.
Garden Route District Municipality mayor, Andrew Stroebel, who describes himself as an entrepreneur first, shared his personal background with entrepreneurship, from washing car windows at the local Engen garage at the age of 12 to starting his own business in Matric.

"Starting a business is difficult. It's seven days a week, late nights, and a lot of sacrifice. But hard work is the future of our country, not government," he said.
His advice to small business owners was to invest in your family and your future when business thrives.

"In the good times, save. In the bad times, excel," he said.
While the prizes up for grabs at the end of the programme are attractive, prospective participants were advised not to make that their end goal but to focus on the journey towards improving their business and themselves.

The Entrepreneur 2025 launch saw a gathering of great business minds, ready to mentor adjudicate the next intake of candidates.