Some of the entrepreneurs who attended the Charged Up Entrepreneurship Africa Network.
The Charged Up Entrepreneurship Africa Network event was a resounding success, setting a new benchmark for entrepreneurial gatherings.
According to the CEO of Charged Up and organiser of the event, Ntsako Mahlaule, this business networking event was structured to be more than just a series of talks. It was a vibrant hub for networking, exhibition, practical learning, while at the same time, fostering a dynamic ecosystem for growth.
The event ticked all the boxes with more than 40 exhibitors. It was the perfect platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and forge valuable connections with industry leaders and peers. “The event was not about speeches but saw the exhibitors rub shoulders with industry leaders,” Mahlaule stressed.
A major highlight was the stellar line-up of esteemed panellists, including well-known and esteemed business guru, Theo Baloyi, founder of Bathu Shoes. The panellists shared invaluable insights from their experiences across critical business domains. Topics such as Leadership, Marketing, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Innovation were discussed in-depth.
Baloyi’s speech, as well as those of other panellists, was highly inspirational. After the event, attendees said they were eager to implement the newly acquired practical strategies in their businesses.
A central feature of the event was the Pitching Masterclass Competition, which saw more than 100 individuals taking part. A select group of 40 participants qualified for the final competition, held at the University of Mpumalanga with crucial support from the Small Enterprise and Finance Agency (Sedfa) and the Street Legacy Foundation.
The top 10 winners at the main event walked away, not only with valuable advice, but also various prizes and goodie bags. The three top winners received cash vouchers and goodie bags from Absa and tablets from MTN. Those taking fourth and fifth prizes, bagged certificates, tablets from MTN and Absa goodie bags. The remaining five of the Top Ten, took home certificates and goodie bags from Absa.
All entrepreneurs who participated in the masterclass gained valuable insight on how to grow their businesses. They were also assigned Sedfa business advisors, ensuring ongoing support for their ventures.
Mahlaule is confident that the knowledge and connections gained would significantly and positively aid the attending entrepreneurs. She said they look forward to witnessing tangible results derived from this this project; seeing businesses grow and contributing to job creation.
The Charged Up Entrepreneurship Africa Network has firmly established itself as a vital platform for African business growth.
