YOUR 7 STEPS TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
What You Do:
- Work with CSMs to identify youth showing entrepreneurial traits during training
- Look for: initiative, problem-solving mindset, community awareness, leadership
- Review attendance records (80%+), participation levels, project quality
- Invite high-potential learners to Pre-Incubation orientation sessions
- Explain: "This program helps you build your own business, not just find a job"
Key Actions:
Create Pre-Incubation tracker in your platform. Schedule 1-on-1 conversations with identified youth. Assess readiness: motivation, support system, basic business interest. Target: 15-20% of each cohort.
⚠️ Consequences if Not Done:
Lost entrepreneurial talent = youth become job seekers only. Missed opportunity to create job creators. No structured exit path = youth drift after program completion.
What You Do:
- Run workshop: "What problems do you see in your community that need solving?"
- Teach basic problem identification: transportation gaps, food access, digital services, etc.
- Guide youth to validate problems: interview neighbors, local businesses, community leaders
- Document findings: problem statement, who it affects, how often, current solutions
- Help narrow focus: "Which problem do YOU care most about solving?"
Key Actions:
Use Design Thinking frameworks. Provide interview templates. Create problem validation checklist. Schedule weekly check-ins to review findings. Push for specificity: not "unemployment" but "no access to online job postings in township".
⚠️ Consequences if Not Done:
Solutions seeking problems = failed businesses. Youth build what they think is cool vs. what community needs. No validation = wasted effort and resources.
What You Do:
- Workshop: Brainstorm 5+ solution ideas per identified problem
- Teach Business Model Canvas: customer segments, value proposition, revenue streams
- Guide feasibility assessment: Can they build this? Afford to start? Reach customers?
- Help select ONE idea to pursue: passion + feasibility + market potential
- Develop 1-page business pitch: problem, solution, customer, revenue, why them
Key Actions:
Use Lean Canvas templates. Run peer feedback sessions. Connect to mentors from similar industries. Schedule pitch practice. Criteria for moving forward: clear customer, validated need, testable MVP concept.
⚠️ Consequences if Not Done:
Vague ideas = no execution path. Unfeasible concepts = demotivation and failure. No business model = can't sustain beyond initial funding.
What You Do:
- Define MVP scope: "What's the simplest version that solves the core problem?"
- Match youth to technical resources: web dev, app dev, design, marketing support
- Set 6-8 week MVP build timeline with weekly milestones
- Facilitate access to tools: free/low-cost software, Deviare platform resources
- Weekly progress reviews: blockers, resource needs, timeline adjustments
Key Actions:
Create MVP project tracker. Connect youth to Deviare's tech talent pool for support. Provide workspace access (physical or virtual). Budget for basic MVP costs (domains, hosting, materials). Keep scope tight - no feature creep.
⚠️ Consequences if Not Done:
Ideas stay on paper = no learning or validation. Over-building = wasted time and money. No MVP = nothing to show investors or customers.
What You Do:
- Define success metrics: 10 paying customers? 50 users? R5K revenue?
- Guide launch strategy: where to find first customers, how to reach them
- Set 4-week testing period with clear targets
- Track: customer acquisition, usage/engagement, feedback, revenue (if applicable)
- Weekly reviews: what's working, what's not, iterate or pivot?
Key Actions:
Create testing dashboard. Help set up basic analytics. Teach customer interview techniques. Document learnings systematically. Decision point: continue, pivot, or stop?
⚠️ Consequences if Not Done:
No market validation = building in the dark. Assumptions untested = wasted resources. No data for investors = can't raise funding.
What You Do:
- Help compile investor deck: problem, solution, traction, team, ask
- Document financial projections: costs, revenue model, 12-month forecast
- Prepare pitch: 5-min version, 10-min version, Q&A responses
- Run pitch practice sessions with feedback from Deviare leadership
- Register business: company formation, bank account, basic compliance
Key Actions:
Use standard pitch deck templates. Connect to business registration support. Practice sessions: 3+ rounds with different audiences. Record pitches for self-review. Refine based on feedback.
⚠️ Consequences if Not Done:
Unprepared founders = investor rejection. Poor pitch = no funding. Unregistered business = can't receive investment or sign contracts.
What You Do:
- Match ventures to relevant investors: SEFA, Raizcorp, angel networks, impact funds
- Facilitate warm introductions to Deviare's enterprise clients for pilot opportunities
- Connect to industry mentors and advisors from relevant sectors
- Link to incubators/accelerators: Tshimologong, Jozi Hub, SEDA programs
- Support first 90 days post-launch: monthly check-ins, problem-solving, network expansion
Key Actions:
Maintain investor/partner database. Schedule intro meetings. Brief both parties before connections. Track outcomes: funding secured, partnerships formed, revenue achieved. Celebrate wins publicly.
⚠️ Consequences if Not Done:
Isolated founders = slow/no growth. No network = limited opportunities. No support = high failure rate. Wasted potential = youth return to unemployment.