How is Y-AGE different from other programmes that have been running in recent years?

Each year billions of rand are awarded to newly-established businesses and to those with business ideas, businesses, in the form of “free money” and other types of financing deals.

These funds come from different types of sources and generally the backers abandon these businesses once they feel their contribution has been made.

This is the core reason why those businesses never make it past the two-year mark.

Start-up businesses also often fail because investors and entrepreneurs neglect to analyse their chosen sector and business environment before setting up.

Like most South Africans, these entrepreneurs do not know where to go once they have set up a business or a plan.

Y-AGE’s unique approach, which has been named “The Ten Steps”, will provide skills development, training and mentorship to ensure that all gaps are filled in the development of these young entrepreneurs.

It is all too common for entrepreneurs to grossly underestimate the amount of time and capital necessary to reach break-even, causing many promising ventures to shut down prematurely.

Y-AGE mentors will provide support to ensure the entrepreneurs stay focused on the growth of the business.

Businesses will be monitored and evaluated on a regular basis and essential advice and interventions will be provided to ensure success.

Thus, Y-AGE offers the required balance between training, funding and mentoring.

This unique approach to economic development in the country is a non-dismissive manner of supporting young individuals who hope to own sustainable businesses

It will help them appreciate the many steps and hard work that go into owning a business.