Eight talented entrepreneurs are to be awarded a business support package comprising subsidised office accommodation, free secretarial support and mentoring from the Eastern Cape Information Communication Technology Initiative (ECITI).

The offer will made to the businesses whose business plans demonstrate ideas which are viable and sustainable.

Would-be entrepreneurs who want to submit their ideas need to complete an application form which is available via email from tjim@ecdc.co.za.

The successful entrepreneurs, who will chosen in the next two months, will be housed in the ICT hub (ECITI) which has been established to promote the province’s ICT and SMME sectors.

ECITI is to begin operations in April and has secured two anchor tenants.

ECITI project manager Bill Brander says that while there is some emphasis on the ICT sector, the offer is not exclusively to computer fundis.

“Our aim is to grow the province’s SMMEs and a mix of tenants increases the opportunity for hub’s businesses to collaborate and be successful. For example, take Cape Town’s ICT initiative. The Bandwidth Barn has a really good mix. It includes graphics design, recruitment, marketing; software development; project management; multimedia; consultants and tax consultancy.

Brander says that the best part about the concept is the hub’s entrepreneurial support programme.

“Many start-ups have great concepts but they do not have the business acumen that is required to build a sustainable business. We are drawing on a number of resources to give our entrepreneurs their best chance at success,” he explains.

The hub is talking to the SETAs to explore ways in which they can help while at the same drawing on Eastern Cape Development Corporation’s vast experience in mentoring.

“We are also talking to people who done this before. For example, the Cape Town initiative, which has been operational for four years, has shared much of their experiences with us.”

However, mentoring won’t be limited the emerging entrepreneurs. Mentors will also be available to existing businesses within the hub but at a charge.

Proposals will be selected on the strength of the business idea and the potential of entrepreneur to make it work. Both elements need to be clearly demonstrated in the application form.

A steering committee will review the applications which, in turn, will pass the best ideas on to ECITI’s board.

The number of emerging entrepreneurs expected to grow to 25 over the five years.

Other hubs are being planned in the province; Port Elizabeth is expected to get its hub in late 2005. This should be soon followed by another in Mathatha in 2006.

Satellite hubs, close to the main hubs, are also being considered with one such location being Mdantsane.