Now in it’s 13th year the 2021 Eskom Business Investment Competition could prove lucky for some as it opens for entries.
Pretoria, 30 August 2021: Entries for the 2021 Business Investment Competition (BIC) are officially open, as announced by the Eskom Development Foundation.
Launched in 2008, the competition targets small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), owned by previously disadvantaged black individuals. The BIC provides a great platform for South African owners of small and medium enterprises to become part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs as they look to build on their businesses’ solid foundation and realise their true potential.
To enter, SMMEs must be registered and be in operation for a minimum of 24 months in the engineering/construction, manufacturing, agriculture/agri-processing or trade/services sectors.
Prizes for this year’s competition are valued at R1.3 million. The overall winner will receive R300 000, each of the four sector winners take home R131 250, while first and second runners up each receive R75 000 and R50 000 respectively.
“We are excited to once again bring the Business Investment Competition to the emerging business sector to further deliver on our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)) strategic objectives for the 2021/22 financial year. We also focus on youth and women, as well as businesses owned by people with disabilities,” says Cecil Ramonotsi, Chief Executive Officer of the Eskom Development Foundation (ESDEF).
“The impact realised through this business investment initiative over the 13 years has been exceptional. Although cognisant that much more interventions are still required for the sector, Eskom is proud of its efforts towards supporting black-owned emerging enterprises. The BIC has become even more relevant over the past year, with small businesses struggling to stay afloat amidst the economic pressures created by COVID-19,” explained Ramonotsi.
As an added benefit to participants, a two-day Business Connect seminar follows the BIC awards, and there, SMMEs get exposure to business workshops for capacity building. A line-up of industry experts will engage SMMEs on business tips related to leveraging technology, financial literacy, brand positioning, as well as guidance on how entrepreneurs should surround themselves with a winning team.
The Business Connect is also an opportunity for the small businesses to market their services, and to exchange experiences with like-minded counterparts.
“Eskom’s efforts are aimed at ensuring growth and longevity to ensure that SMMEs produce more sustainable jobs to realise the country’s National Development Plan goals of an additional 11 million jobs by 2030, anticipated to emanate largely from this sector,” mentioned Ramonotsi.
Qualifying businesses may enter at www.eskombic2021.co.za from 30 August 2021 until midnight on 17 October 2021. For support and assistance, small business owners should email Grounded Media at bic@groundedmedia.co.za
Eskom Business Investment Competition Prizes
- Winners in each category will take home R131 250.
- First and second runners-up in each category will win R75 000 and R50 000 respectively.
