Pitch & Polish programme a resounding success as winners are announced

The Johannesburg leg and last workshop of the ninth annual Engen Pitch & Polish programme was held on Saturday, October 13 and was attended by a very engaged and enthusiastic group of entrepreneurs.

Since inception, this national entrepreneurial workshop and competition has helped over 11 000 entrepreneurs improve the way they pitch their businesses to potential investors.

Following the opening talk by Justin Cohen (best-selling author and international speaker) during which he discussed the truth about motivation and the value of delivering a polished pitch, Allon Raiz (founder of Raizcorp) said it was inspirational to see so many entrepreneurs.

“My entrepreneurship journey started as a ‘one-man band’ and I, too, had to pitch constantly.

"The mission of Engen Pitch & Polish is to give you the best chance when the opportunity arises. It is your job to convince an investor to spend money on you, your product or service and that they will get a return.

"We need each and every one of you to grow this country, so learn and perfect your pitch and then go on and employ people and make the change.”

Through the pitch of Thami Biyela, who has a software-development business, the delegates saw the value of being clear and concise when describing the core business.

Bringing in an emotive aspect is effective in capturing the attention of a potential investor; however, the numbers must also be sound.

Sipho Mampe, who came in third place with his lab equipment manufacturing company, learned that being authentic was powerful and that it instantly made his pitch clearer.

Coming in second place, Thuso Motau, who manufactures household detergents, learned that it will add credibility to her pitch to include where her products are currently being sold.