I’ve just come across this cool nation-wide opportunity for entrepreneurs to help them test their ideas and refine their pitch to funders.
From the organisers:
The 2015 ENGEN Pitch & Polish workshop and competition which is looking to discover the nation’s most promising local entrepreneurs by teaching them to polish their pitch. This annual programme, in association with Engen Petroleum Ltd and longstanding media partner, SAfm, has impacted thousands of entrepreneurs and continues to reach and teach eager entrepreneurs. While on the course you will learn business fundamentals and be shown how best to access funding through your ability to share your vision effectively. Then, at the close, your polished pitch is ready to go. You will also stand a chance to win prizes and money.
Register now to attend or compete. Sms PITCH to 45901 (charged at R1.50 per sms) or register online at www.pitchandpolish.com
The schedule of events is as follows:
Round 1:
Saturday 15 August – Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Saturday 22 August – Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Saturday 29 August – Middelburg, Mpumalanga
Saturday 5 September – Klerksdorp, North West
Saturday 12 September – Cape Town, Western Cape
Round 2 (winners from Round 1 compete):
Saturday 3 October – Bloemfontein, Free State
Saturday 10 October – East London, Eastern Cape
Saturday 17 October – Rustenburg, North West
SAfm Wild Card
Semi-Final (winners from Round 2 and SAfm Wild Card Compete):
Wednesday 21 – Friday 23 October
Final
Thursday 29 October – Johannesburg
Format of the event:
- Participants take part in a free day-long competition-based workshop
- Pre-registration is required to be a participant and/or contestant
- On the day, contestants “pitch” their business idea to the audience
- A facilitator gives tips and guidance, helped by the audience, to “polish” the pitch until the contestants have a professional and in-depth presentation
- The audience are primed to role-play as bankers and investors and interact throughout the day with valuable feedback
- The event culminates in the contestants giving their final three minute pitch
- Winners from Round 1, Round 2 and the Wild Card go through to the semi-final
- Winners from the semi-final go through to the final, which is held in Johannesburg