Chivas Regal calls on entrepreneurs to distill their ideas in a $1-million pitch

Keen on taking a shot at a share of $1-million in funding? Whisky brand Chivas Regal is calling on South African entrepreneurs to apply for its global pitching competition The Chivas Venture 2018.

One entrepreneur will be selected from each of the participating 29 countries to take part in an accelerator programme early next year after which over the course of three weeks of online voting, the public will decide which entrepreneur gets the first allocation of $200 000, Chivas Regal said in a press release today.

Applications for The Chivas Venture 2018 close on 29 October

The South African finalist will be announced in January next year. Entrepreneurs will then pitch for the remaining $800 000 which will be distributed at the Chivas Venture final — which will likely take place around the middle of next year — where the overall winner will win the lion’s share of prize funding.

In addition, participants stand to benefit from global exposure as well as support from international business mentors.

The competition is open to all aspiring and established entrepreneurs and the application window closes on 29 October.

“Chivas Venture is a vehicle for South Africans to create positive change in their communities on a global scale. As a brand with generosity, entrepreneurship and integrity at its heart, Chivas remains committed to empowering entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a force for good,” Chivas Regal South Africa’s marketing manager, Shelley Reeves, said in a press release.

This year’s Chivas Venture final saw South African entrepreneur James Steere founder of I-Drop Water, a startup which installs low cost purification and dispensing units at points of sale, win $50 000 in prize funding.

Read more: I-Drop Water to represent SA in Chivas Venture pitching competition

The Chivas Venture was launched in 2014 and aims to support the next generation of startups that want to create a better future for society.

Apply here for the global pitching competition.

Featured image: The Chivas Venture 2017 alumni (Supplied)