Sanlam hosted a pivotal phase of the Sanlam Bridge session, where 11 ambitious entrepreneurs showcased their innovative ideas in a pitch competition, in collaboration with esteemed partner, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). The Sanlam Bridge Programme serves as a beacon for emerging business leaders, providing vital
support to registered businesses under one year old or those with compelling ideas lacking adequate financial resources. Among the remarkable contenders were Africa Brandberg Investments, Apakaso Cotton, Echo Recyclers, Keme Trading, Londa, Ndipwa Trading, SoapCycles, Ubuntu Aquatics cc, United by Skateboarding Namibia, and WyK C.G.I.
These visionary ventures competed fiercely for the top 5 spots, each vying to secure N$50,000 in seed capital along with a 6-month mentorship and coaching programme. “The Sanlam Bridge initiative aims to empower young Namibians by imparting essential business skills and offering vital seed funding to kickstart their ventures. Additionally, it serves as a platform to bridge the gap between micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and financial institutions, fostering a conducive environment for future funding,” stated Ms Laurencia Prinzonsky, Marketing and Communications Manager: Brand.
The top 5 Sanlam Bridge Winners are WYK (Windhoek), Ubuntu Aquatics (Erongo), Echo Recycle (Omaruru), African Brandberg (Windhoek), and Ndipwa Trading (Omusati). Their outstanding performance earned them N$50,000 each to fuel their business growth, complemented by mentorship and coaching from NIPDB tailored for MSMEs. Furthermore, these winning businesses will benefit from a range of NIPDB MSME incentives, including Branding Masterclasses, Financial Symposiums, Digital Bootcamps, Business Support Weeks, and the Start Improve Your Business Training Programme.
As per tradition, an overall winner will be announced later in the year, with the top contender standing a chance to win an additional N$50,000. This honour typically goes to the business that demonstrates significant progress toward achieving milestones and exhibits exceptional growth potential throughout the programme.
-Sanlam