Wednesday, November 6, 2024

KickStart announces entrepreneurs who made it to next stage

Kgalagadi Beverages Trust (KBT), the corporate social investment arm of Kgalagadi Breweries and Botswana Breweries, this week announced the names of the sixteen applicants who have made it to the next stage for the 2011 KickStart competition.

The sixteen young entrepreneurs undertook a two week business training course from January 19th until February 2nd.

KBL said the purpose of the training was to impart basic business knowledge to the applicants ahead of the final judging for the competition, where the best businesses will be awarded grants of up to P100 000.

It said the training component is seen as critical event for those who may not necessarily win the grant as it puts them in a better position to run and manage their own enterprises as some of the businesses are already in operation.

At the close of submission of entries for KickStart 2011, over a thousand applications were received, of which sixteen were selected at preliminary judging.

The names of the sixteen applicants who were selected for training are Elias Nageng, Gobonaone Modisane, Oteng Moshotle, Baleseng Ramoswaana, Boikanyo Bannye, Moemedi Rampape, Tshepiso Marumo, Reggie Ramongalo, Naomi Jimmy, Douglas Seremane, Keitumetse Moalosi, Letlhogonolo Makwinja, Othusitse Malabola, Pako Maphanyane, Oteng Sibanda and Otlaadisa Boepetswe.

KBL and BBL Director for Corporate Affairs & Strategy, Thapelo Letsholo, said over the years KickStart has achieved its primary objective of inculcating a culture of entrepreneurship amongst young people, helping them to transform their business ideas into thriving sustainable businesses.
“KickStart has accordingly delivered first-class results year on year and made a positive difference to the lives of young people all over Botswana, from the entrepreneurs themselves, the people they employ and the customers they serve,” he said.

To date, KickStart has availed over eight million Pula to youth entrepreneurship projects and provided business skills training to more than 90 young entrepreneurs.

The programme has enabled more than twenty-two young Batswana entrepreneurs to realise their dreams of owning a business.

Some of the KickStart projects have registered success as over 80 percent of the supported businesses are still in operation and growing.

“KBL and BBL are proud that this demonstrates the true relevance and effectiveness of KickStart as a robust model for inculcating youth entrepreneurship in Botswana,” KBL said.

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