Empowering Entrepreneurs: The University of Venda Joins Forces with Six Universities to Launch the Groundbreaking Entrepreneurship Venture Builder

1 week ago

The University of Venda is proud to announce its participation in a transformative new initiative, the Entrepreneurship Venture Builder (EVB). In collaboration with the Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) and six other prestigious universities, this pioneering programme is set to foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem across Southern Africa.
The EVB is designed to empower entrepreneurs from Universities of Technology, Historically Disadvantaged Universities (HDUs), and marginalised communities. The programme aims to provide a robust support system, equipping participants with the resources and expertise needed to turn innovative business ideas into sustainable, successful ventures.

At the recent launch event, Prof Michael Twum-Darko, the EVB Manager, highlight-ed the programme’s commitment to fostering innovation and overcoming barri-ers to entrepreneurship. “We are dedicated to breaking down obstacles and cre-ating pathways for entrepreneurs to flourish in the African market,” he stated.
The EVB offers a comprehensive suite of services to support budding entrepreneurs, including:

– Mentor-in-Residence Programme: Access to expert mentorship from universi-ty faculty specialising in technology transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
– Incubation and Acceleration: Tailored guidance to help entrepreneurs progress from de-veloping a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to scaling their ventures for commercialisation.
– Focus on Inclusion: A strong emphasis on empowering student entrepreneurs and individuals from historically marginalised communities, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.
– Regional Impact: Initially based at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Busi-ness Innovation and Incubation Centre (CPUT), the EVB will evolve into a decentralised model, expanding across multiple universities to reach a broader range of participants.
The EVB is the result of a powerful partnership between leading institutions in the re-gion. In addition to the University of Venda, the other founding members include the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Durban University of Technology (DUT), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Namibia University of Science and Technolo-gy (NUST), Central University of Technology (CUT), and Walter Sisulu University (WSU).
The initiative is generously funded by the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) fund, a UK International Development initiative. This partnership marks a significant step forward in strengthening innovation ecosystems within South African campuses and sur-rounding communities, supporting the transformation of research into commercial success.
The EVB represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing Africa’s entrepreneurial challenges. By supporting young entrepreneurs, especially those from underserved communities, this initiative has the potential to drive economic growth and contribute to the long-term development of Southern Africa.
As this groundbreaking initiative unfolds, the University of Venda remains committed to its role in shaping an inclusive and dynamic entrepreneur-ial landscape, empowering the next generation of business leaders to thrive.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811

Related:

University of Venda hosts the 2022 Student Entrepreneurship Week  UNIVEN Launches a Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Community Engaged Research Project 
Skip to content