The Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards (PERA)
Nominations for the 2015 PERA are officially open.
Premier Helen Zille and Minister Alan Winde launched the competition at the Khayelitsha Cookie Company on 15 July 2015.
The PERA awards gives recognition to entrepreneurs in various fields while promoting a culture of entrepreneurship. The annual competition aims to promote, inspire and create local entrepreneurs who can act as role-models for youth and communities, especially the unemployed.
Winners for this year’s edition will be judged on their businesses ability to sustain or create jobs and to increase their turnover (the amount of money your company makes before deductions).
Who can enter?
To enter you need to:
- be a South African, Western Cape citizen with a valid identity document,
- be in possession of financial statements or management accounts or a business bank account,
- have sound financial performance over the last year,
- employ people and have the potential to employ more people in the long term,
- have strong leadership and management processes in place,
- be involved in community initiatives,
- have a comprehensive marketing strategy in place,
- be in possession of a valid tax clearance, and
- be a registered entity.
Entries are free, all you need to do is submit your application online or collect hard copies from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) offices, The Business Place, or the West Coast Business Development Centre.
Drop off your hard copies at your local SEDA office or other nominated business organisations.
The judging panel will look at the competition entries with the following criteria in mind:
- innovation,
- industry relevance,
- sustainability,
- creativity,
- socio-economic impact, and
- growth and jobs.
The categories for this year’s awards include:
|
Category |
Prize money |
Description |
|
Best Emerging Business |
R100 000 (winner) |
Open to business' in their initial growth phase operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer, but not longer than 2 years. |
|
Best Established Business |
R100 000 (winner) |
Operating in the Western Cape for 5 years or longer with an annual turnover of more than R10m and less than R50m. |
|
Best Social Enterprise |
R100 000 (winner) |
Operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer and embarking on a solution to address a social challenge through innovation. |
|
Best Green Business |
R100 000 (winner) |
Operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer and actively using green technology/concepts in the business. |
|
Best Innovative Student Business Idea |
R100 000 (winner) |
This category is open to any full time student at a Western Cape tertiary institution including Further Education Training (FET) colleges; students should create an innovative solution to a new problem or service. It could be an idea or concept. |
|
Most Innovative Business |
R100 000 (winner) |
Open to businesses operating in the Western Cape for 12 months. |
|
Best Job-creating Business |
R100 000 (winner) |
Open to businesses operating in the Western Cape for 2 years or longer with an annual turnover of less than R10m and an indication of the number of permanent employees appointed over the last financial year. |
|
Best Emerging Regional Business |
R50 000 (winner) |
A business in its initial growth phase to be selected from areas outside of the Cape Metropolitan area and operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer, but not longer than 2 years, with an annual turnover of more than R3m. |
|
Best Emerging Tourism Business |
R100 000 (winner) |
A business in its initial growth phase operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer, but not longer than 2 years. |
|
Best Emerging Agro-Processing Business |
R100 000 (winner) |
A business in its initial growth phase operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer, but not longer than 2 years. |
|
Best School Business Idea |
R20 000 (winner) |
Any high school in the Western Cape (Grade 8 to 12 learners or equivalent). Learners could also apply on behalf of the school. |
|
Business with Global Reach |
R100 000 (winner) |
Operating in the Western Cape for 5 years or longer with a turn-over of less than R50m per annum. |
Please note an overall winner will be selected from all the winners excluding winners in the following categories:
- Best School Business Idea – This category will have 1 winner and 1 runner-up;
- Best Innovative Student Business Idea – This is an idea or concept and not a business;
- Best Emerging Tourism Business – This category will only have 1 winner;
- Best Emerging Business in the Agro-Processing Sector – This category will only have 1 winner; and
- Best Emerging Regional Business – This category will only have 1 winner.
The overall winner will be awarded R100 000 (international trip or trade fair) and a R100 000 cash prize to be used for developing the business. Prizes are non-negotiable and non-transferable.
We’re ready to help you
Improve your chances of winning; read the rules or learn from previous winners. For more assistance contact:
Patricia September
Tel: 021 483 8768
Email: Patricia.Septembr@westerncape.gov.za
Mfundo Vika
Tel: 021 483 5735
Email: Mfundo.Vika@westerncape.gov.za
|
We are pleased to share with you that the Western Cape Government (WCG) has once again achieved certification as a Top Employer in 2024. |
||||
 |
Western Cape Government © 2023. All rights reserved.
This project is an initiative of the Western Cape Government. |
 |
