For the ninth consecutive year, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) bhive Enterprise Development Centre will offer its Enterprising Women Programme for female entrepreneurs.

The programme is geared at supporting early-stage or start-up businesses, to assist them in navigating the current challenging economic conditions.

Programme project leader Leonie Greyling says the six-month short-learning programme, delivered in a multi-model modality, addresses the key building blocks of initiating a business.

“The programme is a great opportunity for motivated and self-driven women in Gauteng and North West to grow as entrepreneurs. It is designed for participants to realise their full potential to manage a sustainable business. Participants also have the opportunity to network with other like-minded female entrepreneurs in a collaborative, supportive community,” says Leonie. 

Eligibility criteria 

To be considered for participation in the programme, you need to:

• Be willing to commit to a multi-modal business development programme, with self-pace online learning, video conferencing and contact sessions from May to October 2021
• Have a minimum of a Matric qualification and a good written and spoken understanding of English
• Be computer literate, with reliable access to the internet, email and WhatsApp
• Pay a programme participation fee of R1 650 by 30 April 2021

How do I apply?

Upload your business pitch video of no longer than two minutes by 31 March 2021: https://commerce.nwu.ac.za/bhive/ewp.

Please incorporate the following:

• Your name
• If you already own a business, the period that it has been running
• The problem that you solve for customers
• Your solution (your value proposition)
• The opportunity (the real gap in the market)
• Your unique selling proposition (what is different about your offering)
• What you expect to gain from joining the programme

For more information, please contact Leonie Greyling at leonie.greyling@nwu.ac.za.