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Applications now open for the Circular Economy Accelerator incubator
The Fetola Circular Economy Accelerator (CEA), an initiative that aims to provide South African entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses in the circular economy with access to mentoring and skills development, has announced that sixty-five entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to join an 18-month incubator programme.
“The circular economy has an important role to play in South Africa’s economy, and it’s essential that we ensure entrepreneurs in this sector are given the support they need to thrive. Our expertise lies in supporting entrepreneurs to build businesses that last,” says Catherine Wijnberg, CEO of Fetola.
Businesses in the circular economy have the potential to make a lasting impact – not only do they reduce the millions of tonnes of waste that ends up in landfills every year, but they also contribute to economic growth and job creation.
The circular economy is about sustainable resource management. It is about managing South Africa’s future development risks by understanding the availability of resources and keeping these resources circulating productively within the economy.
Findings from a recent study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) show that transitioning to a more circular economy can create value across all sectors of the economy. The circular economy promotes sustainability, and the sector consists of businesses that focus on eliminating waste, leading to improved efficiency and greater profit margins.
The CEA initiative is an engaging and interactive programme tailored to meet the needs of South African start-ups and women-owned enterprises. During this programme, entrepreneurs can learn new skills and develop their products and service, enabling them to access growth opportunities. They will also have access to unique investment, funding and mentoring opportunities.
“The CEA is different from other incubators. It’s professional, personal and practical. The programme maximises the success of your business, but harnessing the experience of skill mentors and partnerships of a peer network,” explains Wijnberg.
Entrepreneurs in the CEA will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about the circular economy and gain the technical skills and sector knowledge to succeed as a force for good
- Build a profitable business model by identifying gaps, managing costs and process re-engineering
- Practice sales and marketing skills to increase sales and attract new clients
- Access new markets and attract finance by mastering investment readiness
- Overcome business challenges with support from experienced mentors and leadership
The programme includes business skills development workshops, strategic planning and gap analysis, mentoring and coaching, brand building interventions, peer to peer networking, access to sector-specific resources, and performance evaluation.
Participants will be paired with an accountability partner and connected with a network of peers to learn from one another.
“The circular economy has an important role to play in South Africa’s economy, and it’s essential that we ensure entrepreneurs in this sector are given the support they need to thrive. Our expertise lies in supporting entrepreneurs to build businesses that last. The programme is ideal for entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business and determined to improve their success rates. It’s for businesses in the circular economy or making a positive impact on the environment by designing out waste and pollution,” concludes Wijnberg.
Applications will be open from 12 January to 16 February 2022. For more information, email CEA Programme Manager Isabel du Toit at cea@fetola.co.za.
Apply here: https://bit.ly/FetolaCEA2022
Featured image: Supplied
