The Johannesburg Business School Centre for Entrepreneurship (JBSCE), in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), invites tech entrepreneurs in the Soweto area to join the SEDA UJ Rapid Incubator programme. The University of Johannesburg’s JBS Centre for Entrepreneurship (JBSCE) “provides integrated entrepreneurial development support to build a culture of entrepreneurship and develop start-ups and existing businesses for increased participation in the economy.”
Objectives of the SEDA UJ Rapid Incubator Programme
This is an incubation programme, and its aim is to support growth in the Information, Communications and Digital Technology Industry by providing tailored support to emerging businesses. Successful candidates will receive the following benefits:
- Tailored Support: The programme provides assistance based on individual business needs as well as stage of development of the business, ensuring that each participant receives relevant support.
- Skill Development: Through the University of Johannesburg, entrepreneurs will have access to a knowledge base that will enhance their business acumen as well as their technical skills;
- Networking Opportunities: Being part of the incubator allows participants to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, industry experts, and potential investors;
- Resource Access: The programme offers access to valuable resources that might otherwise be out of reach for early-stage businesses; for example specialist software such as testing and simulation tools;
- Mentorship: Participants can benefit from the guidance and experience of seasoned professionals in the tech industry; and
- Market Exposure: The incubator will provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to showcase their products or services to potential partners, funders and clients.
The SEDA UJ Rapid Incubator Programme, like many incubator programmes, represents a significant opportunity for tech entrepreneurs to refine their technical and business offering and to growth their businesses. Typically, entrepreneurs who get accepted into tech incubators are normally individuals and teams that have at least a good knowledge of the tech and are developing relevant and highly scalable products . This incubator is for those entrepreneurs who are developing products or services that are nearly past the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage and have active product users. Because the programme is based in Soweto, it is likely that entrepreneurs that are developing products that seek to address the immediate need in the township may have an edge over others.
Eligibility
To qualify for this opportunity, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Operate in the Information, Communication and Digital Technology Industry;
- Be developing a technical solution that fulfils a market need;
- Be based in Soweto or surrounding areas; and
- Must be serving an existing client base that can be verified.
Closing Date
The programme will run over 18 months, and the closing date is 18 October 2024. There are only 35 slots available, interested entrepreneurs who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Given the limited number of slots available, the application process is likely to be competitive. Entrepreneurs must make sure that they are able to present their business idea clearly and are articulate about the market gap that they are closing.
For more information on the SEDA UJ Rapid Incubator Programme, please contact: tmogami@uj.ac.za
To submit the application form, click here.
Further Information
One of our objectives is to empower small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs by curating funding opportunities that we come across. Refer to this page and follow the funding link for other opportunities.
While formal company registration is not always a prerequisite for accessing funding, it is crucial for formalised entities to maintain compliance. Lack of proper governance will completely hinder any prospects of funding. For guides and articles on governance, visit to this page and follow the governance link from there.
