WELCOME

In an effort to boost enterprise development, the Eskom Development Foundation has been running the annual Business Investment Competition (BIC) since 2008. The BIC provides a great platform for South African owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to become part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs as they look to build on their businesses’ solid foundation and realise their true potential.

Sectors:
Agriculture / Agro-processing
The BIC adjudicators are looking for candidates in agriculture or agro-processing who show not only perseverance and bravery by starting their own businesses, but also a keen understanding of farming systems and the agricultural environment. If you have been operating in this sector for at least two years and are a registered business, enter and you could win.

Construction / Engineering
Operating successfully in the engineering or construction sector is a challenging task and the BIC adjudicators are seeking small to medium black-owned businesses that have been providing quality services to the South African market for two years or more.

Manufacturing
If you have been operating a business in the manufacturing sector in the past two years or more and have shown determination and dedication to build a sustainable business, the BIC adjudicators would be interested in reviewing your efficient and effective company.

Trade / Services
If you have a firm grasp of the South African trade or services landscape and have built a robust business over the past two years or have been in operation for longer than two years then consider entering the Eskom BIC. Each sector winner will be awarded with R131 250 and an opportunity to take their business to the next level.

• Registered small and medium enterprises
• Must be black South African owned businesses
• In operation for at least 24 months
• Operate in any of the nine provinces
• Doing business in one of these sectors:
i. Agriculture / Agri-processing
ii. Construction / Engineering
iii. Manufacturing
iv. Trade / Services

If you meet the basic criteria already listed, please see documents that are necessary for your entry to qualify, below. Documents required with the application form
• Copy of owners and shareholders’ identity documents
• Copy of BEE certificate or affidavit
• Business and marketing plan for this year and next 1 year
• Copy of business registration - CIPC
• Copy of VAT certificate (if applicable)
• Copy of SARS tax clearance certificate
• Copy of latest financial statements
• Copy of latest bank statement - stamped by the bank
• Copy of employee tax registration* If you have one or more employees
• Copy of UIF registration certificate * If you have one or more employeee
• Copy of COIDA certificate (if applicable)

• Applicants must submit an online application. This is followed by two rounds of adjudication to select the winners and runners-up.

• First round adjudication: Following the submission of all entries, our panel of adjudicators reviews the businesses entered and draws up a shortlist of entrants

• Second round adjudication: All shortlisted business owners are invited to prepare a presentation to a panel of adjudicators in Johannesburg, or virtually, about their business and showcase why they are deserving of the prize. A business presentation template will be made available for voluntary use.

• Business connect:
All finalists from the second round adjudication will be invited to attend a two-day business connect webinar for various business training in March 2021.

The overall winner and the four-sector winners will be announced at the BIC Awards Ceremony to be held through a Webinar in March 2021.

• Overall winner: R300 000
• Category winner: R131 250
• Category 1st runner up: R75 000
• Category 2nd runner up: R50 000
• Additional benefits will include business training sessions with industry specialists and national media exposure.