Initiative provides SMEs with free logo design and business support 

Founded by local organisation Over The Rainbow, the 67 Logos Designathon is an initiative that provides 67 small businesses with free professionally designed logos and business support.

As an annually held event, the 67 logos will be designed on 18 July 2021 to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day.

The 67 Logos Designathon aims to provide 67 SMEs with free professionally designed logos and business support

For this year’s event, Over The Rainbow has partnered with iLearn and Retail Capital to offer a Hosted Learnership Solution as an addition to the upcoming event. 

This learnership empowers and equips black-owned businesses with the skills and knowledge needed to create wealth in the global economy and build sustainable and thriving businesses.

Richard Rayne, Managing Director at iLearn comments on this year’s event.

“Our team is extremely excited about this unique opportunity and the shared value that this project will create for black entrepreneurs in South Africa this Mandela Day. Our ultimate goal is to empower the successful entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary skills to develop sustainable businesses, allowing them to become more economically active.” 

The 67 Logos Designathon

Participants for the learnership will be sourced from Retail Capital’s network and will automatically be part of the 67 Logos Designathon and will be provided the opportunity to complete a SETA accredited FETC: New Venture Creation NQF 4 qualification, facilitated by iLearn.

It is a 12-month SETA accredited learnership qualification designed to provide entrepreneurs with the formal academic knowledge and skills needed to run small to medium business ventures. 

Lesley Waterkeyn, the brainchild behind the 67 Logos Designathon, as well as the Founder and Executive Director at Over The Rainbow is encouraging designers to take part in the initiative. 

“In addition, the contribution of creatives in terms of their time and design abilities are crucial to the success of the initiative and CWDi will be contributing to this year’s Designathon by committing logos towards the campaign, with Creative Consultant Ahmed Tilly doing his part by reaching out to designers in his extensive network to participate and support. As a result, 45 designers have signed up already, and we’d like to challenge other agencies and creatives to get on board and do the same.”

Havas Advertising will also be supporting the initiative this year by committing 67 pay-off lines to the 67 small businesses taking part.

“The effect that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on entrepreneurs means that it is now more important than ever that small businesses get all the support they can. The 67 Logos Designathon has already made a lifetime difference for many small businesses and entrepreneurs. Imagine what the value that this additional learnership will add”, concludes Lesley Waterkeyn.

How to apply

There are no prerequisites required for interested applicants and SMEs and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. 

Applications must be completed online.

Read more: New digital primary care platform to launch in South Africa
Read more: Educational initiative launches to upskill unemployed locals 

Featured image: Leon via Unsplash