The ICT business and technology incubator based in Tshwane, Softstart, has graduated its first "EarlyStart" tenant into its full-time incubation programme.
Softstart is committed to cultivating a new crop of entrepreneurs with its transitional pre-incubation programme called EarlyStart, which is geared toward ventures in the early stages of concept development.
The aim of the programme is to seek potential entrepreneurs and to assist them in growing viable ICT companies.
S'lindokuhle Ngcobo of eNamisa, which graduated from the Early Start programme into full tenancy, commented: "eNamisa operates on a shoestring budget and because of the affordability and flexibility of the hotdesking environment and access to coaching and mentoring, it was possible for eNamisa to commercialise its innovation sooner than we had anticipated!"
Recognising that no two businesses follow the same path to success, Softstart offers flexible programmes that target the different stages of entrepreneurial and company development, and has subsequently broadened its client base.
Because the targeted entrepreneurs for the programme often have financial and other difficulties, they face added challenges in starting a business. "The Early Start programme is important because it provides a risk-free head start to those who otherwise might not have the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship," says Softstart CEO, Ben Zaaiman.
He continues: "The programme is also ideal for entrepreneurs who are employed and wish to determine the commercial viability of their ventures prior to abandoning the security of fulltime employment." EarlyStart members cannot yet say with a great deal of confidence that their business plans are viable, or even clearly conceptualised. In the EarlyStart programme, members gain access to all of the Softstart resources, including venture coaching and access to facilities, but do not occupy a permanent office in the Softstart facility.
In order to encourage Softstart to help these high-risk candidates, their success or failure rates do not form part of the core business success measurement of the incubator. Success in coaching EarlyStart members is measured by business success, and graduation of the company into the incubator as a fulltime tenant. Softstart's fulltime incubation tenancy is reserved for ventures that show a high degree of promise in reaching viability in the short- to medium-term. Softstart tenants have the same benefits as EarlyStart members, except that they have their own, permanently assigned offices and intensive, targeted coaching.
One of the key Softstart success measures is the measurement of business start-up success among full tenants. A further measure of success will be the job creation effectiveness of the incubator.
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. 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.
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