Three small businesses from Nelson Mandela Bay won in the inaugural Business Ignition Challenge on Friday.

The challenge was organized by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and Standard Bank.

They were recognized for best Township-based, Youth-owned, and those registered with the Chamber’s Entrepreneurship Desk.

CEO of the Business Chamber, Denise Van Huyssteen, said “it is clear that the Bay has so much potential, but it is up to each of us to be proactive, take action and drive the future we want.
Above all, think out of the box, don’t be afraid to experiment and rise to new challenges. As such, I am looking forward to see how you, the entrepreneurs, will actively shape and unlock the potential of the Bay of Opportunity.”

Winners are Events Crafted, tops in the Entrepreneurship Desk category. The company received a R70,000 grant to purchase essential event management equipment and cover six months of storage space rental.

In the Township-based business category, Malitshe Designs, a home décor and furniture manufacturer specialising in African-inspired products, was awarded R40,000.
This funding will help purchase machinery to reduce outsourcing costs.

Natually Nirvana, a youth-owned eco-friendly haircare brand founded by a third-year student at Nelson Mandela University, won the Youth-owned category and received R40,000, to buy a filling machine and expand its garden for increased production.

Another winner was Zwide- based Malitshe Designs, who clinched the township- based business category and was awarded a grant of R40 000.
The business is a home décor and furniture manufacturing company with a key focus on creating African-inspired products that showcase the beauty of the African continent.
The grant will go towards the purchase of machines to capacitate the business and eliminate costs associated with outsourcing.

Picture: From left to right: Bongani Lukhele (Enterprise Development Manager – Standard Bank), Terri Diedericks (Entrepreneurship Services Coordinator – Chamber), Lunga Mjodo (Business Information Manager – Chamber), Nicole Louw (Founder – Naturally Nirvana), Jonty Bouw (EC Head of Enterprise Banking – Standard Bank), Larisa Scharneck (Founder – Events Crafted) and Ruth Kivedo (Enterprise Banking Manager – Standard Bank).

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