Chivas Regal announces 10 finalists for The Venture pitching show

Whisky brand Chivas Regal has announced the 10 SA contestants taking part in its social entrepreneur pitching competition, The Venture. It will air on Mzansi Magic on 26 January at 6:30pm.

The aim of the competition is to invest US$1-million in startups that create positive change.

“Over the last two years, we have shown our belief in and commitment to this philosophy by awarding USD2 million to start-ups globally that ‘do well by doing good’, because we believe purpose and profit can coexist,” says Marketing Manager of Scotch Whiskies at Chivas Regal, Shelley Reeves, in a press release to Ventureburn.

The winner will receive R350 000 and represent South Africa at The Venture Year 3 final, which will take place in the US.

Read more: Chivas Regal’s The Venture competition looks for SA’s top social entrepreneur

The South African finalists are:

• Artisans in Africa (Caley van der Kolk) – the platform allows ‘high-revenue’ artisans to partner with rural community artisans sell their work internationally.
• Ocean in Motion (Menzi Mahlobo) – the purpose of this startup is to simulate ocean conditions in order to breed seafood anywhere.
• Mama Money (Mathieu Coquillon) – a fintech app for transfer of money from SA to other African countries at “greatly reduced rates.”
• Boma Brands T/A Rush Bar (Lara Mare van Niekerk) – the marketing of “natural” products to athletes and teaching local communities to grow fruit.
• Silulo Ulutho Technologies (Luvuyo Rani) – a business trying to make teaching technology accessible in rural and emerging areas.
• I-drop Water (James Their) – an affordable water purification system.
• ROSES FOR U (Risna Opperman) – this company looks to create several small farms in the Free State in order to distill rose essential oil.
• Iyeza Health (Sizwe Nzima) – bicycle-based courier delivering essentials to less fortunate areas in Cape Town.
• Standard Microgrid (Matt Wainwright) – solar-powered energy system distributing energy without access to electricity.
• Mama Mimi’s (Ross Kramm) – a bakery franchise that supports local communities and bakes bread as needed.

The contestants will pitch to a panel of judges consisting of Phuti Mahanyele, executive chairperson of Sigma Capital; Stafford Masie, founder of Thumbzup Innovation; Kojo Baffoe, an entrepreneur and content architect.

It will be hosted by Top Billing presenter, Lorna Maseko.