FNB Business Innovation Awards entries for 2018 are now open

Endeavor South Africa today announced the launch of the FNB Business Innovation Awards entries for 2018. The awards are supported by Endeavor South Africa.

In a press release Endeavor SA said the FNB Business Innovation Awards are aimed at businesses that are able to demonstrate real innovation with the potential to change the way an industry operates both locally and internationally.

Businesses must exhibit high-growth potential and have the capacity to add substantial economic value by means of job creation. This, partnered with a social conscious, outstanding business ethics, and goodwill are all factors that will be reviewed by the selection panel.

All successful entries will go through Endeavor SA’s stringent selection process where the qualifying entrepreneurs will be interviewed by a selection panel before they are shortlisted as FNB Business Innovation Awards Finalists for 2018. Finalists will get an opportunity to present their businesses to a final judging panel.

Businesses must exhibit high-growth potential and have the capacity to add substantial economic value by means of job creation

The winner will be announced as the FNB Business Innovator of the Year 2018 at an esteemed award ceremony and will be awarded, by FNB Business, an all-expenses paid trip to attend the prestigious Endeavor International Selection Panel (ISP) which takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 5 to 7 September 2018.

At the ISP, they will have the opportunity to pitch their business to a credible panel of global business leaders and mentors, meet top investors, and rub shoulders with their peers from around the world.

Craig Raw (pictured above, middle), founder of BrandsEye and winner of the 2017 FNB Business Innovation Award, said the value of Endeavor lies in using the network.

“I believe the key advantage is in international exposure — every market, including your own, has its own quirks and oddities which are not always readily discernible and can limit your thinking.

“Endeavor gives entrepreneurs an ability to think ‘globally’ – to get past self-imposed ‘local’ limitations and understand how global businesses succeed,” he said.

In addition, pending feedback from the panel about their business and capability as a global entrepreneur, the winner could walk away with the international recognition and prestigious title of an Endeavor Entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs have until 30 December 2017 to submit their entries and they can do so on www.fnbbusinessinnovationawards.co.za.

Featured image (left to right): FNB Business head of sales Marcel Klaassen, BrandsEye CEO Jean-Pierre Kloppers, BrandsEye founder Craig Raw, CEO and co-founder of Washirika Holdings Romeo Khumalo, FNB Provincial Head of Gauteng North Danny Zandamela. (Supplied).