Call for entries for 2017 Premier’s Recognition Entrepreneurship Awards

Entries for the 2017 Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards have opened.

Business people are invited to enter the competition, which seeks to celebrate entrepreneurs who are making a contribution to growth and jobs in the province.

Since the launch of the competition in 2013, over 1 000 entries have been received. It is an initiative of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, encouraged entrepreneurs to enter the competition.

“According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, people living in Africa report positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship, with three quarters of adults considering entrepreneurship a good career choice. However, here in South Africa we see declining Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity rates, amongst the working age population who are about to start a business.

“That is why we are investing R37 million into our business development programme in this financial year, to reduce red tape and offer support to entrepreneurs. PERA is one of these initiatives, and I am encouraged by the achievements of past winners.”

Premier Helen Zille called on entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the PERA platform to gain exposure for their businesses. “Creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to succeed is a priority of this government. PERA is our way of recognising the businesses that are playing their part in the economic progress we are making in the Western Cape.”

As part of their prize, last year’s winners, from Auto Magneto, will travel to the Shanghai Auto Mechanika National Exhibition in November.  The exhibition will include factory site visits in China.

Auto Magneto is seeking to learn lessons for the planned expansion of its own range. Business owner, Lamees Ismail and Bonita Dodgen, procurement director, will use the platform to arrange meetings with industry stakeholders in China.

Please see below for the 2017 PERA categories, noting that all time periods refer to operations in the Western Cape:

• Emerging Business

A business in its initial growth phase operating for 12 months or longer, but not longer than 36 months with a minimum annual turnover of R500 000;

• Established Business

Operating for longer than 54 months with a minimum annual turnover of R5m but not more than R50m;

• Social Enterprise

Any revenue generating entity operating for 12 months or longer, which aims to address a social challenge or need;

• Most Innovative Business

This refers to an innovative solution or approach to an existing service or product;

• Business with Global Reach

An enterprise in business for 54 months or longer with a minimum annual turnover of R5m, but not more than R50m. The business should prove that at least 30% of its turnover is derived from exports.

The closing date for entries is 1 September 2017 at 6pm. Winners will be announced in November. For more information, including detail on the criteria, kindly visit https://www.wcpremiersawards.co.za/