Lions’ Den Business Plan Competition (South Africa)

Deadline: 18 April 2025

The eThekwini Municipality is inviting SMME’s and Cooperatives with innovative ideas within the eThekwini Region to participate in the Lions’ Den Business Plan Competition.

Objectives

To provide awareness of enterprises in the eThekwini Municipal area.
To promote successful business role models & success stories of empowerment.
To provide practical assistance to emerging SMMEs, Co-operatives and learners.
To showcase successful business enterprises and encourage good business practices amongst SMMEs, Co-operatives and learners.
To reward and encourage participation on eThekwini’s Business Support Programmes.
To improve competitiveness amongst SMMEs, Co-operatives and business concepts from learners.
Promote entrepreneurship within the eThekwini Municipal area.

Categories

The competition awards will be in the following three categories in which SMME’s and Co-operatives can apply:
- Emerging business with viable business ideas.
  - Quality: Emerging business with viable business ideas. Businesses with a turnover of less than R100 000 per annum.
- Established business in need of venture expansion.
  - Quality: Businesses with a turnover of more than R100 000 below R500 000 per annum.
- Businesses that have demonstrated entrepreneurship excellence.
  - Quality: Businesses with a turnover of more than R500 000 per annum and have demonstrated exceptional business practice.

Eligibility Criteria

SMMEs, Co-operatives and learners must be a resident and operating within the eThekwini Municipality.
Only typed business plans will be accepted.
Only one application per business in each category is allowed.
All competition entries should be accompanied by a detailed business plan not exceeding three pages with the following guidelines:
- Executive summary
- Operation Plan
- Human Resources plan
- SWOT analysis
- Marketing Plan
- Financials: List all your assets