Sanlam announced on Wednesday a call for young Namibians with innovative business ideas to apply for the Sanlam Bridge Programme in 2022.
The Sanlam Bridge serves as a springboard for future Namibian business leaders who either have a registered business that is less than a year old, or who have a viable business idea but lack the financial resources to grow their business or turn their ideas into reality.
Sanlam Marketing and Communications Manager Hilaria Graig said Sanlam Bridge, which is funded by Sanlam and facilitated by Start-up Namibia, aims to provide young Namibians with the opportunity to learn how to run a business and receive much-needed seed capital to get them started.
“For the past few years, we’ve seen a wide variety of businesses coming up as a result of this programme. Many of these have gone on to grow and create employment for other Namibians. We are once again excited to be able to offer young Namibians the opportunity to turn their business dreams into a reality through the Sanlam Bridge,” she said.
Graig went on to say that in order to ensure that more Namibians benefit from the programme this year, the team will select the top 30 candidates to participate in a four-week pre-incubation programme facilitated by Start-up Namibia, where they will learn basic business principles that will help them grow their business, network with other start-ups, and receive coaching and mentorship.
“Following that, the top five winners will be chosen and will continue the programme, which will provide them with N.dollars 50 000 in seed capital plus training and mentorship. An overall winner will be announced near the end of the year, who will receive an additional N.dollars 50 000. This is typically the business that meets all or most of the set milestones for their business and demonstrates the best potential for growth,” she explained.
Applicants must be willing to participate in the four-week Start-up Namibia pre-incubation programme, as well as to work with Sanlam and Start-up Namibia for an eight-month period.
The programme is open to young Namibians from all over the country who are between the ages of 18 and 30 years.