Asheka Sivnath, the KickStart's trainer said, "Small businesses face many challenges, the most prevalent of which is the lack of effective business skills training and funding. The ... competition challenges youth entrepreneurship to flourish. The finalists are supported with an intensive two-week skills development program and prize money for the winners. This initiative elevates the businesses to a level where they have a distinct competitive advantage in their sectors."
"I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to Balungile Sokhulu, Sooveir Rajkumar, Sindi Sibongile Mbambo, Mpume Dhlomo and Matshediso Ntsala, and I wish them all of the best in their business ventures," says SAB East Coast Region general manager Yokesh Maharaj. "They will each benefit from a further six months of business mentorship - and the opportunity to share in another R700 000 in grants and three more months of mentorship in the national KickStart Awards next year. I have no doubt they will do the East Coast region proud."
More than 22,700 existing and budding entrepreneurs have already benefited from KickStart and more than 3200 businesses have been launched by KickStart alumni.
The results speak for themselves. 64% of grant winners from 2001 to 2005 are still in business, with 90% of those who received grants in 2006 and 2007 still operating. No fewer than 83.3% of SAB KickStarters have reported that their businesses are growing, and the turnover of the businesses has increased by an average of 375%.
An example of a former KickStarter who is taking the world by storm is Bev Gumbi who was placed third in the 2007 KwaZulu-Natal regional event and went on to take third place in the National event held in September 2008. As a National winner, Bev won an additional R100,000 for her company Isivuno Containers in the Business of the Year category.