Here are the 40 entrepreneurs that will take part in Vusi Thembekwayo initiative

Venture capitalist Vusi Thembekwayo has selected South Africa’s #Top40 entrepreneurs who will undergo an 18-month mentorship programme.

The programme is hosted by Thembekwayo’s MyGrowthFund, which aims to nurture high-growth entrepreneurs through funding, incubation and enterprise development.

The #Top40 entrepreneurs were selected from almost 3000 SMEs who applied for the programme earlier this year, Thembekwayo said in a press release today.

“The volume and quality of applications is a reflection that entrepreneurship is alive and thriving in South Africa,” he said.

The 40 include those running businesses that turn over as little as R1-million a year, to those that have an annual turnover of R39-million annually. The SMEs come from diverse sectors, including landscaping, medical, fashion, engineering, energy finance, education, ICT and construction, said Thembekwayo.

The volume and quality of applications is a reflection that entrepreneurship is alive and thriving in South Africa — Vusi Thembekwayo

MyGrowthFund has devoted a minimum investment of R18-million to mentor the 2017 entrepreneurs.

The 40 companies are:

Amoret Trading (medical), Stefus Jan van Rensburg
Asanda Mdyibi Clothing (fashion), Asanda Madyibi
BEE Novation, (consulting), Lee du Preez
Biotight (energy), Portia Phohu
Blaque Pearl Lifestyle (fashion), Siyabeshu Thutha
Brainbow (media and Entertainment), Mukundi Lambani
DNA Zizi Group (transport and logistics), Andile Zizi Kunene
Dreamtrends Events (hospitality and events), Renolda Mabena
Duotone Marketing (marketing), Mashudu Muthaki
Empower Electrical (engineering), Ayanda Nkomo
Entlearolo Trading (mining), Monica Ngwenya
Grosvenor Montessori (education), Uresha Sahadev
Hyperlink (transport and logistics), Shinaaz Zoutenberg
Inch solution (IT), Nhlanhla Mgoza
Innovate group (IT), Innocent Mapfumo
International Conformity Assessment Solutions (finance and business services), Hamida Omar
Kambaku private school (education), Marile Coetzee
Khuphulanani training institute (education), Khathutshelo Maphari
K1 Recycling (enviromental), Tshepo Mazibuko
Kakanyo (IT), Ali Rodolo
LeDuke Life (events), Manga Duke Belle
Locomute (IT), Ntando Kubheka
Lokuhle Trading 3 (manufacturing), Zanele
Msomi Equipment Solutions (construction), Irin Smith
Mohau Projects (construction), Reetsang Makgatho
Motsana Projects (construction), Koketso Sefoka
Morena’s Projects (construction), Thulie Malakoana
NDA Logistics (logistics), Mpho Dagada
Mthabane Transport (transport and logistics), Arnold Moyo
P&H Boutique (fashion industry), Hetty Boachie-Yiadom
Pro-networks (IT), Luke and Bernadette Thompson
Ranzo Trading (transport), AJ Van Der Hoogen
Reliable Diagnostics (medical), Thabiso Mogodiri
Rural Brands (IT), Nickey Mannya
Snap Print (media and entertainment), Mark Lipshitz
Telone 5a (IT), Crispen Kadyamusuma
Thembane Chemicals (manufacturing), Viloshnee Singh
Vapopax (construction), Phillip Chauke
Thebeyaka Africa Projects (agriculture), Thebe Mochochoko
Zolu Trading (energy), Danile Zoko

**A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that P&H Boutique is in the transport and logistics industry. It is in fact part of fashion.