Application deadline: Friday, 23 August 2024

Enter your business into the pitching den at the Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Conference.

10 pre-selected entrepreneurs will pitch their promising business models to a well rounded panel of high level Thought Leaders and Business Experts in the form of a 3-minute elevator pitch followed by an interactive 5-minute Q&A where participants will receive feedback on how to successfully grow their businesses into market leaders. Apply by completing the form below. Please note that you need to be physically present should you be selected and all transport and accommodation costs are for your own expense.
The 3 winners from all three regions will be entered into the annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards which will be taking place in December 2024 in Johannesburg and 1 winner will walk home with the trophy and a R50 000 cash prize.
The EmpowHER Development Series which consists of a 3-part LIVE series aimed at building communities and creating access to networks for entrepreneurs is set to take place in Cape Town (23 May), Gauteng (25 July) and KZN (12 September) along with a virtual skills and training masterclass solely for the participants in the lead up to the pitching den.

Entrance criteria:

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* 1. Full name (first and last name):

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* 2. Email address:

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* 3. Mobile number:

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* 4. Where are you based?

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* 5. Job Title

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* 6. Company name:

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* 7. Enter your VAT number: 

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* 8. Tell us about your product / business in no more than 150 words. Make sure your answer is clear and concise and sets you apart from other applicants.

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* 9. Submit a video introduction of 2 minutes to introduce yourself (name, background), and your business (problem tackled, service/products, your expected social, economic, and environmental impact, size of the team, how you relate to the program, etc.) (Submit the link/email it to alexandra.kotchoubei@topco.co.za).

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* 10. What is the biggest challenge you face in growing your business / commercialising your product?

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* 11. Submit your company profile:

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.
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* 12. Submit your CV:

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.
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* 13. Submit your certificate of incorporation (if already incorporated):

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.
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* 14. How will your business look 5 years from now? (max 400 words)

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* 15. Years of operation:

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* 16. What sector do you operate in?

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* 17. Please submit your annual turnover. Please note that your company needs to have a minimum of R1 000 000 turnover and maximum of R5 000 000.

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* 18. How many people do you employ?

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* 19. Please motivate why you should be chosen to pitch at the Standard Bank Top Women EmpowHER Conference:

Please take note of the below*

Step 1: Submit your detailed application form along with your 2-minute video introduction.

Step 2: Should you be selected as a finalist you will be invited to attend an online workshop with all of the finalists to prep you for your pitch. You will also be sent your “pitch kit pack” which will include a pitch deck template (no more than 12 slides) that you will need to populate and pitch live at the conference. At the session you will learn how to deliver the perfect elevator pitch and how to make your pitch deck stand out from the rest as well as receive your pitch finalist social media pack and badge.

Step 3: Pitch day at the 1-day EmpowHER Conference. You will present your pitch deck live to the judges and the audience in the form of a 3-minute elevator pitch with 5-minutes thereafter for judges to ask questions should they require any additional information. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be announced.

Step 4: The 1st place winner from each 3 regions will be entered into the 21st annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards taking place in December 2024 in Johannesburg and 1 winner will walk home with the trophy and a R50 000 cash prize.

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