Softstart, the ICT business and technology incubator based in Tshwane, will open its doors to aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a secure, nurturing and stimulating environment in which to start up their businesses. Softstart will host an open day for potential incubator tenants on 24 June at its premises on the CSIR Campus from 10am to 2pm.
Entrepreneurs will be given an introduction to Softstart and its service offering, taken on a tour through the incubator facility and given an opportunity to discuss their ventures with Softstart's venture coaches.
According to the National Business Incubation Association in the US, business incubators nurture the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start-up period, when they are most vulnerable.
Incubation programmes like Softstart provide client companies with business support services and resources tailored to young firms. The most common goals of incubation programmes are creating jobs in a community, enhancing a community's entrepreneurial climate, retaining businesses in a community, building or accelerating growth in a local industry, and diversifying local economies.
Softstart's business case for incubation demonstrates that the average two-person start-up will save R234 000 in capital expenditure and R268 000 in operational expenditure in the first year of business. This total of R502 000 may be foregone by the new venture for less than R40 000 in incubation fees inside the Softstart incubator. (If they already have their own PCs, the cost will be even less.)
Softstart assists early stage ICT entrepreneurs with mentoring and support in the strategy and practice of growing a sustainable business. Softstart improves enterprise performance, enhances profitability and growth, and offers technology and management support to South African SMMEs to enable them to develop their innovations to full commercial potential.
Key services include strategic, technical and operational coaching and mentoring, furnished "plug-and-play" office space in a secure environment, shared resources such as reception and conference facilities, Internet access, access to service providers and funding sources.
Softstart is supported by the GODISA Trust of the Departments of Science and Technology and Trade and Industry and its founders include inter alia, the CSIR, University of Pretoria and the Tshwane University of Technology. Entrepreneurs interested in attending the open day should contact Nicoli Koorbanally on (012) 349-2355 or nicoli@softstart.co.za
For further information please visit the Softstart website: www.softstart.co.za
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