The Innovator Trust, CiTi call on black IT firms to apply for support programme

The Innovator Trust, a Joburg-based enterprise development organisation, and the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) are calling on growth-stage black-owned ICT firms based in and around Cape Town to apply for an intensive two-year long enterprise development programme.

Applications for The Innovator Trust programme — which will be run in collaboration with CiTi at the Woodstock Bandwidth Barn, as well as remotely — close on 22 February. The names of those selected will be announced on 4 March.

The programme aims to help black participants to increase their IT company’s annual turnover and profitability and to equip them with necessary accreditation to help them avoid red tape.

Applications for The Innovator Trust and CiTi’s enterprise development programme close on 22 February

In a statement yesterday (23 January), The Innovator Trust CEO Tashline Jooste said the enterprise development programme is aimed at entrepreneurs who have created businesses with high-growth potential.

In order to be considered for the programme, prospective applicants must have a company that meets the following criteria:

• Has an annual turnover of less than R50-million
• Has been trading for two or more years
• Be at least 51% black-owned
• Have a minimum Level 1 to 4 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) status according to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) ICT Codes

In addition, when submitting applications, applicants will need to supply copies of their company registration documents, company profile and annual financial statements, along with a BEE certificate and proof of identity.

Commenting on the programme, Ngaphaya Y2K10 founder Jennifer Classen said she benefited from various business advice and mentorship when she attended the initiative between 2015 and 2018.

These she said included help on financial management and training staff and with setting a three-year budget and growth plan for her business.

Said Claasen: “Our advice to entrepreneurs considering the course is ‘just do it’, the skills and knowledge you gain are invaluable and they put us on a serious growth trajectory”.