The year 2017 will be remembered for many things.
Entrepreneurship continued to move (albeit slowly) into the mainstream, and our economy certainly did not make it easy for entrepreneurs. This year alone, we saw ratings downgrades, a technical recession and rising inflation – all of which put businesses under substantial pressure.
In 2017, we also saw for the first time the number of black tech founders gradually catch up to that of white founders. The percentage of black startups in South Africa rose to 50% this year, up from 29% according to a 2017 Ventureburn survey, with Western Cape beginning to lose ground to Gauteng as South Africa’s tech startup hub.
Although celebrities starting businesses is nothing new, this year more personalities and stars took advantage of their fame to launch businesses, from DJ Black Coffee who invested in leading tech startup, SweepSouth and rapper AKA launching his digital startup to Thando Thabethe, launching a lingerie line and musician J’Something opening a restaurant.
We dive into the archives to find the stories our readers enjoyed this year:
1. Black-Owned Travel Startups Changing The Face Of SA Tourism
A look at how local and international travel startups are capitalising on the “black travel movement”.
2. How BrownSense Founder Built One Of SA’s Fastest Growing Networks For Black Entrepreneurs
Founder Mzuzukile Soni’s organisation is working to empower black entrepreneurs to participate more meaningfully in the country’s economy. Read More
3. Meet the New CEO of Old Mutual’s Masisizane Fund
Zizipho Nyanga shares her goals for one of the country’s biggest development funds. Read More
4. Here’s What Vusi Thembekwayo And Other Entrep Experts Want You To Know For A Killer 2018
Lessons and secrets to success from this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. Read More
5. Sisa Ngebulana On The 4 Essential Qualities Needed To Build An Empire
“There’s always opportunity with every crisis, with every challenge in life, and I think those things are necessary in life to build us up to get stronger and I think with experience you just leverage out a lot more out of every crisis,” says Sisa Ngebulana, who in this article shares his secrets to success.
6. Why This Entrepreneur Turned Down Half A Million Rand In Funding
Techpreneur Zuko Mandlakazi is the founder of Senso, which manufactures a wearable digital device that detects and communicates sounds, he shares the sometimes difficult journey to finding the right investor.
7. “I Have Never Submitted A CV In My Life!” – Allegro Dinkwanyane
Dinkwanyane is a born entrepreneur who launched her marketing and public relations business, Orgella Media, when she was just 21. The company specialises in brand management. They produce social media marketing and public relations (PR) campaigns. Read More
8. These 3 SA Startups Are Raising Funds Through Crowdfunding
We profiled three startups, Espinaca, Ground Up Barista Academy and Jar Bar, and found out how they used crowdfunding to fund their businesses. Read More
9. Vusi Thembekwayo Sells Majority Share of His Advisory Business to US Partners
Go behind the sale of Thembekwayo’s management advisory and growth consultancy business Motiv8. Read More
10. Find Out About The Consulting Firm That’s Helping Businesses Secure Millions In Funding
Uzenzele Holdings specialises in helping entrepreneurs access development funding such as government grants, incentives or loans. Read More
