Within the South African context it is expected that organisations work together with, and play a role in, the development of entrepreneurs and small businesses. This symbiotic relationship is required to generate socioeconomic growth. Through socioeconomic development programmes many companies are able to make positive contributions to society. The challenge however lies in ensuring that such contributions yield sustainable results.

Enterprises University of Pretoria's (Enterprises UP) Research Solutions recently hosted a business breakfast, presented by Prof Alex Antonites, Associate Professor in the UP Chair for Entrepreneurship. The presentation focused on Enterprises UP's total value chain service offering to support SMMEs throughout their entire lifecycle.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Prof Antonites explored the importance of the business/SMME relationship by addressing organisational best practices conducive to entrepreneurship, pitfalls and benefits of innovation and the building blocks embedded in the entrepreneur – SMME  value chain.

He concluded by indicating how organisations can make use of Enterprises UP to assist the development of their own SMMEs and to utilise their enterprise development and corporate social investment budgets for SMME development.

The event was attended by both national and international role players such as the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, the European Investment Bank, The Intervention Group, ATA Training and the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA).