BOOST UP is a three-day startup support programme organised by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), MLab, and Set Up a Start-Up. They collaborated and co-hosted a Pitching Master Class with the University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI), which aims to provide training and empower students in entrepreneurship.
The UMPCFERI invited three adjudicators to assist, namely Mr. Mmbadi, SEDA Ehlanzeni Branch Manager and CFERI Board Member, a Standard Bank Relationship Banker, and an Old Mutual Training Facilitator.
The workshop, held at the UMPCFERI Mbombela campus, commenced with training on the significance of resilience in entrepreneurs, showing how setbacks can be transformed into opportunities. Mr. McKevin Ayaba emphasised the transformative potential of collaboration, illustrating that when diverse minds come together, innovation thrives, and opportunities flourish. This underscores the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges and fostering a successful entrepreneurial journey.
The second day of the BOOST UP Workshop focused on refining pitching skills, a pivotal aspect of entrepreneurship. Participants learned about pitching with precision, identifying target audiences, and understanding their pain points. They also acquired the skills to craft an elevator pitch, honing their vision. The workshop was interactive, providing practical insights, hands-on training, and valuable feedback from peers and mentors.
On the third day, participants of the BOOST UP Workshop competed in a pitching competition, with two winners selected to pitch in Cape Town and potentially advance to Kenya. The event showcased a diverse array of business ideas, ranging from innovative tech startups to ventures with social impact. The participants valued the master class for refining not only their business ideas and models for the competition, but also for their ongoing growth. After presenting their final pitches, Khoza and Silinda emerged as the competition winners.
Adjudicators at BOOST UP competition.
Winning Businesses
Cyprian Sandile Khoza, a second-year student in Environmental Management, operates CSK Environmental Consulting (Pty) Ltd, a 100% youth-owned company based in Mpumalanga and Gauteng. The company focuses on the Environmental, Engineering, Water, and Wastewater, Health, and Safety sectors. Their combined expertise exceeds four years, gained in public, private, and governmental organisations.
CSK boasts an interdisciplinary team of professionals with a diverse range of competencies including Geology, Environmental Science, Occupational Health, and Safety. They aspire to provide these services to the mining, construction, agriculture, industrial, private, and governmental sectors. Although they are a small-sized company, they have ambitions to grow and become leaders in the Environmental field.
Penwell Jackey Silinda is the founder of SmartD Pty Ltd, a South African technology company established in 2020. They have developed the SmartD App, an impressive application that offers a wide range of on-demand services, including ride-hailing, food delivery (KFC, Fish & Chips Co, McDonald's), grocery shopping, parcel, and financial services. The app was launched in 2022 and has since been extended to reach deep rural and township communities where deliveries were previously unavailable. Other businesses under the SmartD Pty Ltd umbrella include university accommodation, Smart Tracker, SmartD Tutor, and university and college online applications.
Khoza and Silinda serve as examples of students who are responsive to societal needs. The University of Mpumalanga congratulates them on their victory in the BOOST UP competition and wishes them the best as they forge ahead in business.
MLab and UMPCFERI will convene a follow-up meeting to identify further synergies and collaborations aimed at enhancing the business development services provided to the entrepreneurs supported by the Centre.
Khoza and Silinda also won at the 2023 EDHE Northern Regional Round Intervarsity Competition, where they competed with students from UNISA, the University of Limpopo, and the University of Venda. They are through to the final competition, which will be held in November 2023.
• Mr Cyprian Khoza, Founder of CSK Water & Environmental Consulting, won in the Research-Based Businesses Category.
• Mr Penwell Silinda, Founder of Smart D App, won in the Existing Business Tech Category.
By Lisa Thabethe. Pictures Supplied.