Latest news from the Riversands Incubation Hub

The Riversands Incubation Hub is a business incubator with a mission to support black-owned SMEs and entrepreneurs – established and aspiring – to develop their businesses. At CN&CO we are passionate about people and brands. We are always happy to get involved with initiatives or organisations that are proactive when it comes to giving support to talented people, thus we are a close associate of Riversands.

The Riversands Incubation Hub, despite the challenges it faces has ended September on a good note. It continues to make progress to grow South Africa’s economy and small businesses. Riversands’ goal is to be home to 150 businesses. With only 25 spots left, nothing seems impossible. “At this rate, we look set to beat our target of 150 businesses at Riversands by the end of the year,” says Jenny Retief, CEO of Riversands Incubation Hub. Riversands believes that there’s still a lot more that needs to be done, but with continued support from partners and sponsors, more will be achieved.

In the Riversands news this month:

• Riversands Incubation Hub runs a business club that gives aspiring entrepreneurs the platform to network and hopefully find new business. In September, the business club was hosted by Gil Oved, co-founder of The Creative Counsel (TCC) – SA’s largest advertising and marketing agency. Gil got involved in a Q&A session, where aspiring entrepreneurs had the platform to challenge the young business leader. Attendees were left inspired.

• A group of CEOs from various well known companies in South Africa have created a fund worth R1.5 billion in support of small and medium entreprises. This initiative was created to help drive economic growth.

• Many will be pleased to learn that there is a possible solution to high medical bills and those long queues in clinics. A doctor based in Gauteng has developed a healthcare model to help reduce medical bills. Investors have taken interest in this project.

• Another inspirational story to come out of Riversands is about a 25 year-old social entrepreneur, Neftaly Malatjie. As young as he is, he is a founder of Southern Africa Youth Project – an organisation aimed at youth development. Neftaly has put in hard work into the organisation. He and his team have managed to provide a range of services to 6 000 youths in South Africa and other Southern African countries.

Make sure to add the following events to your calendar:

• Business Club with Themba Baloyi, CEO of the Discovery Group and one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders for 2015, on 18 October 2016.

• FundEX, a premier funding and investment showcase for entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for the details of the event.

• Nedbank & Riversands Collaboration Launch on 11 October.

• GG Alcock, CEO of specialist marketing company Minanawe and author of KasiNomics and Third World Child, will be talking at Riversands on 27 October.

For more information read the Riversands Incubation Hub newsletter.