Opening doors for start-ups
MARKET DAY: WILL SHOWCASE HOW BENEFICIAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS CAN BE
The Masisizane Fund has the funding and expertise to empower entrepreneurs.
The Old Mutual Masisizane Fund continues to support entrepreneurs by giving them exposure to finance and business support. On June 19, the international investment, savings, insurance and banking group will host a market day for entrepreneurs at their offices at No 1 Mutual Place, Sandton.
Masisizane Fund’s chief executive, Zizipho Nyanga, explained that access to finance and business support had been identified as one of the key constraints of fledgling entrepreneurs.
“To ensure the success of entrepreneurs it is vital that established companies walk the journey with them,” she said. “Both private companies and government need to collectively provide motivation, support and infrastructure to new businesses.
“We are excited that our market day will showcase how fruitful partnerships and collaborative efforts can be. There is no doubt that mutually beneficial partnerships play a pivotal role in the development and sustainability of the small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sector.”
Many studies have shown a healthy SMME sector can act as a catalyst in socioeconomic growth and transformation, contributing substantially to job creation and poverty alleviation.
The Masisizane Fund was established in 2007 as a nonprofit organisation to provide holistic, end-to-end support and funding to SMMEs.
Its comprehensive SMME finance solution starts with an individual assessment of the needs, challenges and characteristics of the new business. The team then offers tailored financial and business solutions, based on the findings that emerge during the assessment and provides appropriate growth strategies.
The fund's chair, Marshall Rapiya, said: “It is essential that all sectors play a role in enabling positive futures and laying the foundations for growth and prosperity for all. Without a thriving and prosperous society and economy, the survival and sustainability of the existing corporates in South Africa are at risk.
“[We] have the business experience, funding and expertise to empower start-ups and address some of the issues that hinder their success and growth.”