{"id":170,"date":"2025-05-23T05:34:06","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T05:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xxplore.co.za\/?p=170"},"modified":"2025-05-23T06:24:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T06:24:09","slug":"competition-that-awarded-local-smmes-with-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xxplore.co.za\/index.php\/2025\/05\/23\/competition-that-awarded-local-smmes-with-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"Competition that Awarded Local SMMEs\u00a0with\u00a0Grants"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#5f837b” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||1%||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|4%||4%|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|6%||6%|false|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”45px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”1%||1%||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”4%|||2%|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”7%||||false|false” 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Belfast Mine recently hosted a Pitch for Funding competition, inviting local SMMEs (Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises) to present their business ideas for a funding grant.<\/p>\n

This initiative is designed to grant a range of participants, from micro and survivalist businesses, those with an annual turnover under R2 million and with fewer than 10 employees, to aspiring entrepreneurs with strong ideas. It emphasises inclusivity, ensuring opportunities for youth, women, and people with disabilities, while developing a holistic ecosystem strategy with Seda (Small Enterprise Development Agency) and other institutions. The phased competition began with a masterclass on pitching, facilitated by our guests, followed by a series of group and panel pitches to narrow down the winners. Ultimately, three winners from our host communities were selected for further training and support. Uluju Cleaning, Ayadezz Initiatives and Umlando Business Consultant were each awarded a grant to support their growth and development.<\/p>\n

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This competition forms part of Exxaro\u2019s vision of empowering host community businesses by assisting them to strengthen their business models, enhance presentation skills, and access funding that can drive sustainable local economic development.<\/p>\n

The winning entrepreneurs further participated in an intensive six-day Entrepreneurship Training Workshop, where they refined their ideas under the guidance of experienced facilitators. The Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme ensured that the SMMEs fully focuses on enhancing their entrepreneurial skills. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the UN\u2019s Empretec programme, highlighting Belfast Mine\u2019s commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth within its host communities.<\/p>\n

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