Sanlam today announced the winners of its entrepreneurial support programme the Sanlam Bridge. The programme which was launched earlier this year to replace the Sanlam Innovation Works is a launchpad for Namibia’s young future business leaders who have innovative and exciting business ideas but lack the necessary resources to turn their ideas into reality or grow their business. Part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, the Sanlam Bridge aims to create future business leaders in Namibia, promote business innovation and leadership, and promote employment creation while allowing young people the opportunity to develop their own businesses and thereby earn their own income.
The top businesses selected for this year’s Sanlam Bridge are:
- Taxi Connect – a ride-hailing platform to request a taxi.
- Greenville Solars – is engaged in the distribution of portable solar lights and phone chargers.
- Ndaka Mushrooms – process fresh oyster mushrooms into dried mushrooms, mushroom soups, mushroom snacks, and pickled mushrooms.
- Stimu Box Sensory Play Creations – is an online store that produces and sells personalised sensory boxes by order. They offer a variety of items that help children to explore and learn about the world through their senses.
- Petwa Medical Practice – is a clinical research centre which will conduct clinical trials in Namibia.
The businesses are all at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey but will all walk away with a cash prize of N$50 000.00 seed capital from Sanlam. Coupled to this, the entrepreneurs will also receive support, mentorship and coaching from StartUp Namibia who have partnered up with Sanlam to help facilitate this programme. The top five businesses are expected to meet set criteria and achieve set goals and milestones to be in the running for the overall Sanlam Bridge winner who will walk away with an additional N$50 000.00 cash prize to further invest into their business.
Speaking at the announcement event earlier this morning, Sanlam General Manager Brand and People, Dr Evans Simataa said “At Sanlam, we view entrepreneurs as national assets to be cultivated, motivated, coached and adequately supported to the greatest possible extent”. He was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the businesses who took part in the competition. He said the high interest in the Sanlam Bridge which received over 200 applications shows there is a high appetite for business in Namibia. Simataa said he believed that if we want to truly turn around our economy and diversify it, we have to invest in our young people. He further said that entrepreneurship is important, as it has the ability to improve standards of living, create wealth and jobs, and contribute significantly to poverty reduction. He is of the view that entrepreneurs, besides contributing to economic development, also help drive change with innovation, introduces new and improved products, and contributes to income generation.
“It is important to note that the Sanlam Bridge does not only provides young people with the much-needed financial support, but it gives them the necessary support which will help ensure they go the distance with their business”. He added that even now, in the midst of COVID-19, young people are coming up with innovative business ideas that respond to the needs of everyday Namibians.
Speaking at the same event StartUp Namibia GIZ Project Manager Anna Vambe said she was humbled to be a part of this important project. Vambe further highlighted that StartUp Namibia is a German-Namibian technical cooperation project funded by the German Government, that has been assisting Namibian startups since the project was launched in 2019 and she was confident that the top five Sanlam Bridge winners have a bright future in business ahead of them. Her advice to the recipient of the seed capital is that they need to think beyond just producing and selling locally but also internationally. She strongly encouraged the recipients to corroborate and learn from each other as the journey of entrepreneurship can be challenging.