Young entrepreneurs present their business ideas

10 January 2014

The UPBI first opened its door on 12 February 2008. The incubation programme was designed to aid in the successful development of entrepreneurial companies, by offering support services and resources based on the fundamentals of the entrepreneurial process.

Recently, eight of the incubatees from the UPBI took part in the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Business Beat programme. During the last two months of 2013, the young entrepreneurs had the opportunity to present their business ideas to some of the most prominent figures in business. MBA entrepreneurship students at GIBS helped the entrepreneurs to enhance and focus their business models, and to present refined business model canvasses to the incubatees. The experience made a permanent imprint on the entrepreneurs and the MBA students.

“It was a life-changing opportunity both academically and in terms of how you view the business world moving forward. You get to be mentored by the best in the country and I have made life-long connections that will help me throughout my business career”, says Oscar Mabena, one of the participants. The incubatees thanked Dr Alex Antonites, Head of the UPBI, for this wonderful opportunity and the GIBS MBA students for their encouragement, professionalism, advice and positive attitude.

The UPBI has committed itself to become the centre of specifically student-driven entrepreneurial business initiatives.