Online business network introduces ‘Small Business Toolkit’ for SA SMEs

South African online business network OpenTenders this week introduced its Small Business Toolkit which aims to connect entrepreneurs with relevant opportunities as well as encourage networking.

Developed by South African entrepreneurs and founders of OpenTenders Madoda Khuzwayo, Sivu Maqungo and Mnive Nhlabathi, the trio have compiled over 5 000 pages geared to teach entrepreneurs and small business owners the basics of starting and running a sustainable business.

The toolkit is divided into 10 chapters covering the following topics: how to register a business, drafting a business plan, legal compliance, marketing plan, finance, as well as a myriad of templates that entrepreneurs can use.

OpenTenders launched about a year ago to help introduce an accessible and transparent process that enables SMEs to meet the demands of government and large corporates. On top of having access to a R100-million SME fund, the startup has been hosting events around the country to educate and encourage entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Mnive Nhlabathi, COO of OpenTenders explains in a recent press release that the Small Business Toolkit should be a welcome gift for South African entrepreneurs as most resources available today are US-centric:

We hope to change this so that when South Africans search for assistance to grow their businesses or even start one, this toolkit, built by South Africans for South Africans, will come up first and therefore circumvent unnecessary time and misinformation and put potential successful business owners on the path to economic security much earlier in the process.

On a mission to kickstart early entrepreneurial uptake in South Africa, OpenTenders will host another seminar at Wits University, 30 June as a prelude to a nationwide tour. The Small Business Toolkit is available to download on the website.