Fetola in partnership with FNB is looking for Mzansi’s movers and shakers, hustlers, and innovators; aspiring entrepreneurs who are young, enthusiastic, intelligent, and passionately driven to succeed.

If you have a business or a business idea that can ignite positive change and create an impact in our country, then bring it! Fetola is looking to take your businesses and business ideas to the next level, nurture you as entrepreneurs and connect you with like-minded innovators. Apply for the Youth Start-Up Accelerator (YSA) to start a two-phase journey with 100 other movers and makers!

Click: Visa Everywhere Initiative 2022

Eligibility for YSA

• Applicant must be between 18 – 35 years. However, YSP 2022 gives preference to applicants between the ages of 18 – 25)
• Has a start-up that has been operational for less than 6 months or a unique idea for starting a business
• Also, the business is at least 51% black-owned and managed with an annual turnover not exceeding R1m
• The applicant must not be employed full-time
• In addition, has the passion and resilience needed for business
• Has a desire to create a profitable as well as sustainable business (not an NGO)
• Moreover, preference will be given to applicants based in townships, peri-urban or rural areas

Also check out: Google Hustle Academy || Entrepreneur Bootcamp 2022

YSA Phases

Phase 1:

During this phase, you will be testing the market with your idea/start-up business.

100 eligible businesses will be selected to participate in Phase 1.

It includes:

• Practical, interactive business skills workshops
• Mindset, mental preparedness, and motivation
• A business roadmap template
• Financial management and reporting support
• Also, Online SME support tools
• Ideation, product development, and business model testing
• Group Mentorship
• Peer networks
• In addition, access to data support

Moreover, participants will get a platform to pitch for funding for a maximum of R2500 to test their business idea/early-stage business.

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Phase 2:

Only candidates showing growth in the program, leadership, and business potential will get an invitation to proceed to phase 2 to unlock further support.

50 eligible businesses will get the opportunity to participate in Phase 2.

It includes:

• Practical, interactive business skills workshops
• A business roadmap template
• Also, Mentorship (group and individual)
• Marketing, market-readiness, and brand building
• Peer networks
• Entrepreneurial job shadowing and youth mentors
• In addition, access to data support

Moreover, Businesses that meet all the program requirements and demonstrate strong potential will get a chance to pitch for funding up to a maximum of R15 000.

Timeline

The Programme has two phases that will roll out as follows:

Phase 1: six months Business Development Support for 100 businesses (April 2022 – September 2022)
Phase 2: 6 months Business Development Support for 50 businesses (October 2022 – March 2023)