Photo by: Bloomberg
Property giant Growthpoint’s enterprise development programme, Property Point, on Monday opened applications for its intensive two-year incubation programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Property Point, which would close the application process on October 15, had now expanded the programme beyond entrepreneurs working in the property industry.
SMEs specialising in electrical work, hygiene services, plumbing, landscaping, pest control, air-conditioning, fire protection services, security, waterproofing and painting were also invited to apply.
The programme aimed to provide entrepreneurs with the skills, training and personal development support they needed to develop their enterprises into fully independent companies.
Since its inception in 2008, the programme had supported 96 businesses, enabling them to generate over R398-million in procurement opportunities and achieve revenue growth of 54.5%, while creating more than 1 100 jobs and empowering 2 500 individuals with best business practices.
“Property Point is particularly keen to include more black women-owned businesses in its programme, which is proving a challenge in the traditionally male-dominated property industry.
“There is a low representation of black women-owned businesses within the broader supply chain of the property industry,” Property Point head and Growthpoint corporate social responsibility head Shawn Theunissen said.
To participate, entrepreneurs had to be Johannesburg-based, their businesses had to be at least 51% black-owned, they had to have offered services in the property sector for at least two years and have the potential to grow.
“We are looking for go-getters with entrepreneurial drive and a hunger for business success, who are a good fit for our programme,” Theunissen concluded.