Deadline: 30 September 2023
Are you ready to take your business to the next level and become the next supplier to leading customers in SA’s chemicals sector? Don’t miss the opportunity to join the Business Accelerator and gain access to big customers, expert mentorship support, sector-aligned empowerment for your business and capital investment interventions to unlock your growth potential.
The objective of the Business Accelerator is to identify & develop high potential SMEs as strategic suppliers to industrial lead enterprises through market access, standards upgrading, & capital investment interventions.
What to expect as an SME progressing through the Accelerator
- Application submitted
- ~15 minutes required to complete and submit as per application form.
- Feedback regarding the outcome of your application will be communicated shortly after the application closing date.
- Screening
- Shortlisted SMEs may be contacted for clarity of information provided and will be informed of the next steps.
- Capacity building
- Compulsory capacity building workshop focused on developing and delivering a compelling business pitch to potential customers.
- Dragons’ Den
- Opportunity to deliver your business pitch to potential customers.
- SMEs identified by customers as highpotential will progress to the next phase. Various cash prizes and awards available.
- Celebration
- Graduate to the Alumni Learning Network.
- Ongoing access to competitiveness improvement programmes and networks for further growth and learning.
- Supporting Growth
- Upgrading to unlock the identified commercial opportunities with customers.
- Support will be focused on enabling delivery to customers and scale processes & practices established.
- Letter of Interest
- Customer requirements confirmed to unlock commercial opportunity.
- Business case development
- Building and analysing the commercial opportunity and improvements required.
- Finance and Compliance due diligence risk assessment required. Access to expert industry coaching support.
How does it work?
- Qualifying candidates will be invited to a capacity building workshop focused on developing a compelling business pitch to potential customers.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Dragons’ Den event in November in Durban where the top candidates will be selected.
- Identified high potential candidates will receive business case development support, expert coaching to scale your business and ongoing support to unlock commercial opportunities with customers.
Who can apply?
- South African owned business.
- 51% or more black ownership.
- Annual turnover of R170m or less.
- Registered with CIPC.
- Tax Compliant.
- Operating for at least 1-year.
- Currently or aiming to offer products or services to customers in the chemicals sector.
For more information, visit Durban Chemicals Cluster.
