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Pitch your big innovation

South Africa’s most innovative entrepreneurs are gearing up for a chance to pitch their business models and ideas at an event being held at the Dream Factory in Cape Town on 29 November 2012. Six shortlisted candidates will have just five minutes to present their innovation to a panel of expert judges and a live audience of investors and networkers. Entries must demonstrate strong commercial viability and the potential to have a large positive impact on society and/or environment. The deadline for applications is midnight on 18 November 2012.

MC’d by Cape Talk’s morning show presenter, Kieno Kammies, the event will be hosted by Enterprise Elevator and powered by U-Start, a global online marketplace for entrepreneurs and investors. The six finalists will stand in line to win more than R350 000 worth of prizes. This includes:

• Business coaching valued at R300 000 by FutureFit, South Africa's leading person-centred impact entrepreneurship development organisation and investment readiness incubation by Impact Amplifier, an accelerator for impact entrepreneurs, valued at R20 000.
• FNB will contribute a cash prize to the winner. 
• The Pitch finalists will be given the opportunity to be fast-tracked into the Unreasonable Institute’s 2013 incubation programme in Colorado, USA. Together with other entrepreneurs from all over the world, they will receive training from 50 world-class mentors, including the likes of a Time Magazine Hero of the Planet and the head of user experience at Google X. 

“U-Start is dedicated to facilitating the match among entrepreneurs playing an active role in the improvement of society and the environment and investors worldwide,” Stefano Guidotti CEO of U-Start said. “Finding and supporting businesses with this vision and practice is of critical importance.”

“Entrepreneurs form the cornerstone of our economy and play a pivotal role in societal transformation. First National Bank supports and actively promotes sustainable business growth through its continuous delivery of world class innovative products and services,” said Cape Provincial Head of FNB Business Banking, Adnaan Rayned. 

Source: Cape Business News