Electricity + Control October 2017

LIGHT + CURRENT

Imvelisi programme developing ‘enviropreneurs’

The Water Research Commission (WRC) recently hosted the Imvelisi Environmen- tal Entrepreneurship Ideation Bootcamp in partnership with GreenMatter and the Young Water Professionals (a division of theWater Institute of Southern Africa). This year 50 young aspiring entrepreneurs was selected from nearly 500 applicants nation- wide to participate in the programme. The

The core funding for this programme came from the Department of Science and Tech- nology (DST), with additional support from a range of partners, including the Water Research Commission, Department of En- vironmental Affairs (DEA) and The Innova- tion Hub. The training and technical input to this programme was managed by Fetola who are working in partnership with Koi Strategy, Green Cape and the South Afri- can Renewable Energy Business Incubator (SAREBI). The Imvelisi structured process sup- ports and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs to interrogate the feasibility of their busi- ness concepts and how to take practical steps towards starting and growing their businesses.

training programme explored entrepreneur- ship and opportunities in the green econo- my, unpacking business ideas, facilitating alignment to national priorities, unpacking to market potential, and understanding the funding and partnership landscape. Simul- taneously the programme allowed aspiring enviropreneurs to grow their networks and formalise mentorship relationships.

Enquiries: AdriaanTaljaard. Tel. +27 (0) 12 330 9036 or email adriaant@wrc.org.za

Young, aspiring ‘enviropreneurs’ from KwaZulu-Natal province attending the bootcamp at the WRC: Sifiso Dlakula, Samiksha Singh, Nduduzo Khoza, Lindelwa Msweli, Thabo Madlala, Nomandla Ngcoya, Yoliswa Zondi, Mfundo Ntembe.

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