Some of the small and medium enterprises in Ohangwena which have been affected by the corona virus situation will receive a lifeline through a programme known as Pitch for Recovery (P4R).
Up to 28 owners of struggling SMEs who are in dire need of a funding lifeline will be split into two groups of 14. Then the two groups will over two separate days be coached and guided in Eenhana on Monday and Tuesday from 09 November 2020 on how to prepare their pitch.
The entrepreneur will have to come in front of a panel of adjudicators and prove that with some help in a form of a lifeline their business will recover, be viable and sustainable going forward. And be positioned better to create wealth and jobs.
The adjudicators will then decide and allocate funding to nine or more of the most deserving struggling SMEs, who will be provided with support ranging from N$40 000 to N$3 000.
“This is a country-wide programme aimed at helping existing enterprises to recover. It will be run in all 14 regions of Namibia. The programme has already taken place in Omaheke, Erongo, Kavango West and East, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa and took place in Oshikoto region from 04 to 07 November,” said Mr Danny Meyer who is the business coach and CEO of SMEs Compete, the company which is running the programme with financial support from the German Cooperation GIZ.
The programme is not a contest, but an opportunity to make a convincingly competitive pitch for funding support, for the business to recover from the economic downturn.
To apply to participate in P4R the business must be operational for 36 months or longer.
A total of N$183,000 will be shared among the successful beneficiaries of Ohangwena region.
After Ohangwena the programme will roll out to Oshana region.
In the photo: The first group of entrepreneurs taking part in the P4R programme at the Multi-Purpose Youth Centre in Eenhana.
