City’s #YouthStartCT challenge is a-go
14 May 2021
Budding entrepreneurs have until 23 May 2021 to throw their hat into the ring for a shot at pitching their business ideas. Read more below:
The annual #YouthStartCT Challenge is aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 35.
It gives them an opportunity to present business ideas that have long-term potential, but also stimulate job creation.
In exchange, the City provides training and development opportunities for qualifying start-ups.
This year, the competition focuses on social development ideas.
‘The #YouthStartCT Challenge is a youth development programme that’s a win-win for all involved. It gives young people with bright ideas the space and opportunity to test those ideas and bring them to life, but also advances efforts around job creation and social upliftment – critical needs in many of our communities.
‘I want to encourage budding entrepreneurs in the identified age group to step up and enter the challenge. You could be sitting on the winning idea for 2021, but you won’t know unless you try,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Entrants are reminded that their business idea needs to show how it can be profitable and sustainable during, and after, the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each entry will be assessed according to social development criteria, i.e. projects that can uplift the community, increase employment and upskill local talent.
More details on the competition are available here: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Jobs-and-opportunities/youthstart-entrepreneurial-challenge
How to enter:
• Applicants must create a three-minute video explaining their idea, with as much detail as possible and upload the video using a public video platform, such as YouTube. The video URL will need to be included on the entry form.
• Applicants must also complete the entry form.
For those who might not have access to data, the City’s SmartCape service is available at City libraries, and allows access to the internet for free, for 45 minutes.
The top 100 entrants will be notified via email by Thursday, 24 May 2021 and will be offered training and mentoring workshops to further develop their ideas and businesses.
They will be required to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges from 27 May, and every week a number of entries will be eliminated from the competition.
Prizes this year include:
• Cash prizes (for the Top 3 winners);
• Customised business support, mentoring and development (for the Top 10 winners);
• Cellphones and/or tablets (for the Top 10 winners);
• Data);
• Access to meeting venues for one year;
• Customised business branding and promotional materials.
The winner, alongside two finalists, will be announced at a gala dinner on Wednesday, 16 June 2021.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
