Leading business accelerator programme, Property Point, have announced that applications are open for their award-winning accelerator programme in Johannesburg and in Cape Town.

Qualifying businesses will be put through a two-year programme giving entrepreneurs the tools needed to develop business skills and access new opportunities within the property sector.

The programme delivers bespoke business support interventions based on a rigorous baseline assessment with the businesses. In addition to fundamental business skills training such as marketing, financial management and quality management, the programme uniquely focuses on minimising the risks that businesses face through skills development and reputation building. The focus is on excellent delivery of work, and creating an enabling environment where strategic relationships can be formed in order to access markets.

Property Point was named 2018 Accelerator of the Year at the SA Business Incubation Awards. The programme also won the Impact Award at the The 2019 Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards which recognises and celebrates businesses committed to building thriving, inclusive and transformed supply chains.

In just over a decade Property Point has facilitated market opportunities worth R1.4bn for the 173 SMEs that have taken part in its enterprise and supplier development programme. The programme has helped to create more than 2500 full-time jobs and SMEs on the programme report average revenue growth of 39%.

To be considered businesses must conform to the following criteria:

• Businesses must be 51% black-owned (as per the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003).
• Businesses must have been operating for at least two years. Businesses must offer services that are needed in the property industry (e.g. cleaning, plumbing, construction etc.)
• Businesses must be able to provide references and prior contracts of work.
• Businesses must prove that they have the potential to grow and become a success.
• Business must not currently be on another incubation programme.

To apply download and complete the application form at https://www.propertypoint.org.za/apply-now and remember to attach all the required documents. Deadline for applications is 24 February 2020 and all successful businesses will be contacted by 9 March 2020.

Priority will be given to female applicants in professional services i.e, Architects, Town Planners, Valuers, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors. The following non-professional services are also required: Fire prevention and detection, security services and construction small works.

“We are looking for businesses that have high impact potential as far as job creation and revenue growth are concerned. Our programme is designed to recognize their potential and help them on to the next stage of their developmental path,” said Shawn Theunissen, head of Property Point and Growthpoint Properties’ Corporate Social Responsibility.

Theunissen said: “Our team is focused on reducing the skills gap that prevent small and growing businesses from accelerating their growth. We are very excited to deliver our learnings to a new intake of eager and driven entrepreneurs. We must however emphasise that this programme is not for the faint hearted, it is demanding, and any business owner looking to reap the rewards must be ready to be committed and work hard.”

For more information about the Programme, contact Property Point on 010 593 4604 or email Nicole@PropertyPoint.org.za and be sure to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter.